Elfrago
12-29-2008, 05:16 PM
First, I know there is already another thread about Slide decks, but this differs quite a bit from what they're cooking there so I guess it can have a different discussion. If I'm wrong, mods, feel free to merge the threads (like if my opinion mattered :tongue: ).
Once upon a time there was a card named Astral Slide. People used and abused it with creatures with comes into play effects (CIPE from now on). Those creature were mostly green and sometimes red, white was there just for the Slide and a couple of elephants.
The deck slowly became unplayble, maybe thanks to Tarmogoyf, maybe thanks to the rise of quicker combo decks, maybe becouse of the decline of goblin, maybe thanks to the printing of Krosan Grip, maybe becouse the earth exploded and everyone died (well, this maybe not :rolleyes: ).
Fast forward to the present, where people keeps trying to bring the deck back (me included I guess, since I'm posting this).
One thing has striked me when thinking about the deck: green is no longer the king of CIPE creatures.
So, it's now unnecessary in this deck :eek: (yes, I said it).
Good CIPE creatures have been printed in other colors.
Shriekmaw is good, he is the new Flametongue Kavu.
Kitchen Finks can take the place of Loxodon, who no longer dominates the board with his body.
And Tidehollow Sculler is a Mesmeric Fiend on steroids, who can do some silly things with Slide.
Of course by cutting green you lose Loam, but is it necessary? Rifter did not play loam and it always had something to cycle.
Before posting the list I want to set a thing straight: I'm not sure this is the right way to go, but it's something different wich may have some potential. And I'm posting this becouse I need you help.
Finally the decklist:
// Lands
7 [4E] Plains (1)
8 [7E] Swamp (3)
2 [U] Scrubland
1 [SH] Volrath's Stronghold
4 [ON] Secluded Steppe
4 [ON] Barren Moor
// Creatures
3 [SHM] Kitchen Finks
2 [SC] Eternal Dragon
4 [LRW] Shriekmaw
4 [ALA] Tidehollow Sculler
// Spells
4 [LRW] Thoughtseize
3 [ON] Renewed Faith
2 [UL] Unearth
2 [AP] Vindicate
4 [ON] Astral Slide
4 [4E] Swords to Plowshares
2 [SC] Decree of Justice
The manabase is pretty straight: lots of basics, a couple duals to fecth with Dragon if you need them, full sets of cycling lands and Stronghold becouse we play black and creatures. No fetchlands, like rifter did, theyre probably unnecessary.
Shriekmaw is good, the more I play him, the more I like him. It's fine on it's own and pretty sick with Slide. Fear also makes him a reasonable threath.
Finks are nice too, they provide some lifegain and a body with decent stats.
Persist is also nice.
Sculler has been awesome so far: he has a reasonable body, he provides some distruption, he won't get destroyed by 'Maw and he can do some VERY sick things with an active slide.
Dragon is there becouse he is probably the best spell with cycling ever printed. And it also grants a never-ending supply of late-game astral triggers.
StP is Stp, nothing to add.
'Seize becouse I wanted some form of distruption. He fits perfectly in the curve and helps in being sure that Slide resolves.
Vindicate is a general answer to annoying stuff.
Deecree, Unearth and Faith are probably the best spells with cycling avaible. They have their weak points but probably they are the best out there, and you need a minium number of cards with cycling in the deck. I'm definitely going to test other stuff in their place thought.
No sideboard, I'm still tweaking the main board and I still have a lot of things to test. Feel free to suggest one if you like.
Things I'm going to test: Street Wraith, Undead Gladiator, other CIP creatures, more E Dragons, more cycling lands, Fade from Memory, Akroma's Vengeance.
Thx in advance for your suggestions!
Once upon a time there was a card named Astral Slide. People used and abused it with creatures with comes into play effects (CIPE from now on). Those creature were mostly green and sometimes red, white was there just for the Slide and a couple of elephants.
The deck slowly became unplayble, maybe thanks to Tarmogoyf, maybe thanks to the rise of quicker combo decks, maybe becouse of the decline of goblin, maybe thanks to the printing of Krosan Grip, maybe becouse the earth exploded and everyone died (well, this maybe not :rolleyes: ).
Fast forward to the present, where people keeps trying to bring the deck back (me included I guess, since I'm posting this).
One thing has striked me when thinking about the deck: green is no longer the king of CIPE creatures.
So, it's now unnecessary in this deck :eek: (yes, I said it).
Good CIPE creatures have been printed in other colors.
Shriekmaw is good, he is the new Flametongue Kavu.
Kitchen Finks can take the place of Loxodon, who no longer dominates the board with his body.
And Tidehollow Sculler is a Mesmeric Fiend on steroids, who can do some silly things with Slide.
Of course by cutting green you lose Loam, but is it necessary? Rifter did not play loam and it always had something to cycle.
Before posting the list I want to set a thing straight: I'm not sure this is the right way to go, but it's something different wich may have some potential. And I'm posting this becouse I need you help.
Finally the decklist:
// Lands
7 [4E] Plains (1)
8 [7E] Swamp (3)
2 [U] Scrubland
1 [SH] Volrath's Stronghold
4 [ON] Secluded Steppe
4 [ON] Barren Moor
// Creatures
3 [SHM] Kitchen Finks
2 [SC] Eternal Dragon
4 [LRW] Shriekmaw
4 [ALA] Tidehollow Sculler
// Spells
4 [LRW] Thoughtseize
3 [ON] Renewed Faith
2 [UL] Unearth
2 [AP] Vindicate
4 [ON] Astral Slide
4 [4E] Swords to Plowshares
2 [SC] Decree of Justice
The manabase is pretty straight: lots of basics, a couple duals to fecth with Dragon if you need them, full sets of cycling lands and Stronghold becouse we play black and creatures. No fetchlands, like rifter did, theyre probably unnecessary.
Shriekmaw is good, the more I play him, the more I like him. It's fine on it's own and pretty sick with Slide. Fear also makes him a reasonable threath.
Finks are nice too, they provide some lifegain and a body with decent stats.
Persist is also nice.
Sculler has been awesome so far: he has a reasonable body, he provides some distruption, he won't get destroyed by 'Maw and he can do some VERY sick things with an active slide.
Dragon is there becouse he is probably the best spell with cycling ever printed. And it also grants a never-ending supply of late-game astral triggers.
StP is Stp, nothing to add.
'Seize becouse I wanted some form of distruption. He fits perfectly in the curve and helps in being sure that Slide resolves.
Vindicate is a general answer to annoying stuff.
Deecree, Unearth and Faith are probably the best spells with cycling avaible. They have their weak points but probably they are the best out there, and you need a minium number of cards with cycling in the deck. I'm definitely going to test other stuff in their place thought.
No sideboard, I'm still tweaking the main board and I still have a lot of things to test. Feel free to suggest one if you like.
Things I'm going to test: Street Wraith, Undead Gladiator, other CIP creatures, more E Dragons, more cycling lands, Fade from Memory, Akroma's Vengeance.
Thx in advance for your suggestions!