Testing

[Damnosus]

My friend and I are planning on taking things to the next step by testing decks against wider gauntlets (other than just against what we have). So I have a couple of questions about the process.

First, since we don't have a great deal of time, we are going to limit our test gauntlet to a few specific decks. I was wondering which decks you all would suggest we test against? My initial idea was something like: Ugw thresh (because thresh is so important, and white seems to be the most common splash where we are), UWb Landstill (for the control matchup), Belcher (because we see it a lot where we are, and it is important to test against at least one deck that is super fast), Ichorid (stupid stupid deck), and Goyfsligh (for aggro). How do these sound? Should I change anything?

Second, how do you folks go about testing? I know you all play a ton of games, with and without using your sideboards, but how do you evaluate what changes need to be made to the deck or sideboard?

Any other advice would be most welcome!

[Blackened]

Well I'd always try and prepare for a creature-heavy aggro deck like Goblins. Usually it's pretty easy to annihilate this deck with 3/5 of the colors, though.

You've got the right idea, though. I base the decisions I make in changing cards (in both the sideboard and maindeck) from extensive play testing. There's really not much more that can be done.

For example I play Eva Green as a deck of choice (Team America if I want to occasionally), and in the Goblin match up I've realized Engineered Plague is completely unnecessary even though it destroys Goblins singlehandedly. My deck just has such a great match up against it that it's not needed.

So basically I'd really try to work on the sideboard. Some cards just come out at you as obvious choices but really they might not be. Always rely on a lot of play testing.

My two cents.

[rockout]

Obviously the decks change from month to month and some decks fall and some decks rise but the best goal is to stay with what's winning right now. If a deck just won a major tournament, then you need to be testing against it or at least play with to feel it's in and outs.

I like Goblins, TES, Thresh (pick the splash that hurts you the most so you can be ready for pretty much all of them), Dreadstill, Team America, Landstill (Pick the build that hurts you the most.) Right there are the 6 top decks in Legacy right now and you should be able to beat them and have a general idea of what they will bring in against and how to sideboard accordingly. Even if you've never tested against a deck, make sure you look at possible sideboard cards for each of those decks that they will bring in against you. That last point is by far the most important.

[Damnosus]

Cool beans-thanks guys!

So I should focus on testing against the most popular decks as opposed to taking a smattering of each genre of deck (control, aggro-control, aggro, combo)?

Additionally, at what point do you just give up on a deck?

[rockout]

I never truly "give up" on a deck. For instant, I don't test against Solidarity, Ichorid, Enchantress, or Aggro Loam, but I still know the deck, how it works, sideboard choices, and the best way to try and beat it.

I think the most popular decks is a fair choice because they usually have a broad archetype involved with the most popular. Also, the most popular decks are the most popular for a reason.

[Damnosus]

By "giving up on a deck," I meant like if you are deciding to come up with a new deck: at what point do you say "wow this deck will simply never work/be competitive"?

Sorry for the confusion.

[rockout]

O, well, never. ;-) I don't really consider putting something on the back burner giving up on it but I'm sure others would consider that giving up.

I have like 3-4 insanely jank decks I bring out and work on every once a while. Unfortunately, for one of the decks, Blood Clock has to be playable.

[Damnosus]

Ok last bit. I need some decklists for the test decks-I am looking for just the general lists for Goblins (which splash is the most common?), Dreadstill (no idea what the most common list is), and Landstill (kinda got lost as to which is the standard splash/list). The other three should be pretty easy to find, so if anyone could suggest standard lists for the first three that would be incredibly helpful. Thanks.