SCG Charlotte Invitational Metagame Predictions

[Purp]

Topic essentially says it all. I have been grinding away Legacy every since I earned my qualification (not much legacy experience prior) and have been taking note of top performing decks from recent events. I have been trying to tune my SB for an "expected" meta (I understand it might be much harder to call than Standard is) and was curious what decks you think will definitely show up in larger numbers.

[Lejay]

Main consideration is probably that Miracles is the number one deck to beat right now and I think Grinders will be aware of that thanks to GP Paris.

[btm10]

Miracles is a major contender, but BUG Delver is also going to be a major force.

[twndomn]

The game currently is definitely spearheaded by the following 4 types:
1. Decks that run Stoneforge.
2. Decks that run Deathrite Shaman.
3. Unfair combo decks.
4. Miracles.

Of course, both type 1 and type 2 could be running Delver, but Delver is not what sets them apart. There are decks that's hybrid of type 1 and 2, but not as common. Now, just because these decks are popular, that doesn't mean the pilots are experienced in what they are playing. For example, Miracles has a long learning curve, requires fast play without mistakes to prevent draws, you can't just pick it up a week before your big tournament and cram it like exams, unless your name is P.V. or something.

[Megadeus]

I'd be prepared to beat Stone blade, delver variants, miracles, and show and tell

[Koby]

I'd be prepared to beat Stone blade, delver variants, miracles, and show and tell

I'd say this easily makes up 60% of the invitational metagame. Expect Blue, and lots of it.

[nedleeds]

Island. Brainstorm. Things that fetch Island.

[Barook]

I'd be prepared to beat Stone blade, delver variants, miracles, and show and tell
Sounds about right, with BUG Delver being the main force of Delver decks.

[mote5]

I plan on playing in the Sunday Open only. How many of those that have traveled to play in the Invitational do you expect to play in the Legacy Open? What kind of turnout do you expect on Sunday (both number of participants and meta game)? This will be only my second tournament this millennium, so any input on what to play or expect to play would greatly appreciated. I played UWr Delver to a winning record at the Baltimore Open, and I'm leaning towards playing that again, but I could switch up to play Miracles or another Stoneforge or Delver variant.

[nedleeds]

Enchantress with maindeck Choke.

[BlackStarDeceiver]

I'd be prepared to beat Stone blade, delver variants, miracles, and show and tell

So Jund with some extra SnT hate seems good ;)

[Megadeus]

Enchantress with maindeck Choke.

ETutor to find it? Or sacrificing your sterling grove to find it?

[Megadeus]

So Jund with some extra SnT hate seems good ;)

Probably. Why isn't jund better vs snt again? I feel like the infinite discard is extremely strong. Could always try the version that splashes USea just to be able to swan song things

[twndomn]

Just so you guys know, the coverage is on at this point in time.

[Barook]

Lots of combo decks covered so far.

Favorite moment so far: Sam Black dying to his own Brainstorm with lethal on the board. Sometimes, there is a God punishing your commonplace "Brainstorming like an idiot". So satisfying.

[YamiJoey]

Lots of combo decks covered so far.

Favorite moment so far: Sam Black dying to his own Brainstorm with lethal on the board. Sometimes, there is a God punishing your commonplace "Brainstorming like an idiot". So satisfying.

Won't be able to see this for a while. What happened exactly?

[Barook]

Won't be able to see this for a while. What happened exactly?
Reuben Bresler played Imperial Painter and was at 3 life, had an untapped Ancient Tomb ready and the combo established. Sam Black had Deathrite Shaman tapped, among other things. If Sam had waited, Reuben would have have been dead since the Tombs are useless at 1 life.

However, Sam went for playing Brainstorm on Reuben's turn because - what could possibly go wrong? Reuben then activated Grindstone with Tomb + Simian Spirit Guide in response, thus milling Sam's library and killing Sam with his own Brainstorm.

[Holly]

Won't be able to see this for a while. What happened exactly?

Reuben with Painter, Grindstone, Top, 2 Ancient, Living Bridge, in hand SSG
vs
Sam with DRS, SFM?, Lands, Bob? Doesn't really matter.
Reuben is at 5 and has 1 Ancient untapped, if he goes for the combo he goes to 3. Sam can use DRS end of turn and in his own upkeep to kill Reuben.
Reuben tries to pass the turn. Sam now could burn Reuben, he he goes for the combo the same thing happens. If he doesn't and Sam untaps and uses the DRS again Reuben will be unable to activate Grindstone because of the lifeloss.

What does Sam? End of turn casts Brainstorm without the need to, Reuben actives Grindstone and Sam can only bring him down to 1 thus dying to his Brainstorm.

[Anen]

Reuben Bresler played Imperial Painter and was at 3 life, had an untapped Ancient Tomb ready and the combo established. Sam Black had Deathrite Shaman tapped, among other things. If Sam had waited, Reuben would have have been dead since the Tombs are useless at 1 life.

However, Sam went for playing Brainstorm on Reuben's turn because - what could possibly go wrong? Reuben then activated Grindstone with Tomb + Simian Spirit Guide in response, thus milling Sam's library and killing Sam with his own Brainstorm.

That is some serious Magic :D

[Dice_Box]

That rocks. I really want to see this.

[Barook]

That rocks. I really want to see this.
Start around 1:50:00 to watch the drama unfold (http://www.twitch.tv/scglive/b/515019213)

[Lord Seth]

Start around 1:50:00 to watch the drama unfold (http://www.twitch.tv/scglive/b/515019213)
Thanks for the link.

[Darkenslight]

Reuben Bresler played Imperial Painter and was at 3 life, had an untapped Ancient Tomb ready and the combo established. Sam Black had Deathrite Shaman tapped, among other things. If Sam had waited, Reuben would have have been dead since the Tombs are useless at 1 life.

However, Sam went for playing Brainstorm on Reuben's turn because - what could possibly go wrong? Reuben then activated Grindstone with Tomb + Simian Spirit Guide in response, thus milling Sam's library and killing Sam with his own Brainstorm.

Wow, talk about a Brainfart.

[HSCK]

When did this turn into a bash players and BS thread from a metagame analysis one?

I'm curious to see whether Pan's take on BUG control will have people picking it up this weekend.

[Dice_Box]

At about the same time that this became the internet. You know, that place where threads derail and opinions are as common as rice in China.

[Darkenslight]

When did this turn into a bash players and BS thread from a metagame analysis one?

We were commenting on a match-losing BS. Which is a badly-played BS.

OT: that was definitely an amusing matchup - Deadguy Ale vs Elves!

[saspook]

10 times out of ten, posters in this thread make the same play as Sam when their opponent only has two mana up.

[Barook]

10 times out of ten, posters in this thread make the same play as Sam when their opponent only has two mana up.
That's a bold statement. Why is that so? Because even bad Brainstorms get rewarded like 99,9% of the time?

There was a guaranteed kill on board. If you have a bit of experience in the Imperial Painter match-up, you must expect activations out of nowhere due to fast mana.

Back to topic:

Top 8 for tomorrow (http://sales.starcitygames.com/deckdatabase/deckshow.php?&t[C1]=3&start_date=03/28/2014&end_date=03/30/2014&start=1&finish=8)

Now the interesting thing is going to find out which decks did well in the Legacy portion.

[Anen]

Top 8 for tomorrow (http://sales.starcitygames.com/deckdatabase/deckshow.php?&t[C1]=3&start_date=03/28/2014&end_date=03/30/2014&start=1&finish=8)

Now the interesting thing is going to find out which decks did well in the Legacy portion.

Where are all TNN and Delvers? :o

[Barook]

Where are all TNN and Delvers? :o
Hard to say, since the performance in the Standard portion mattered as well. We'll have to wait and see how the top-performing Legacy decks look like.

[Nocley]

Here you go - http://www.starcitygames.com/events/coverage/legacy_71_or_better_decklists.html

That looks more like a Legacy Top 8.

[Scott]

That BUG Walkers list is pretty.

[Megadeus]

The guy playing BG Pox is a cool guy so I'm rooting for him

[Darkenslight]

The guy playing BG Pox is a cool guy so I'm rooting for him

I'm more impressed by the 4-of Not of this World in the Hex-Depths build.

[Grand Superior]

Rooting for MUD today. I've always had a soft spot for mono-brown decks and it's been ages since I've seen it do well. Go Gregg Spano!

[Scott]

I thought that The Abyss couldn't kill your opponent's True-Name Nemesis? Osyp and Patrick are saying it can.

[Anen]

I thought that The Abyss couldn't kill your opponent's True-Name Nemesis? Osyp and Patrick are saying it can.

What they say is wrong, it can't be targeted. If you control TNN, you choose the target of the Abyss but the ability is still controlled by the opponent.

[Dia_Bot]

What they say is wrong, it can't be targeted. If you control TNN, you choose the target of the Abyss but the ability is still controlled by the opponent.

Very true. It's also obviously the reason he didn't play it all that time.

[twndomn]

I thought that The Abyss couldn't kill your opponent's True-Name Nemesis? Osyp and Patrick are saying it can.

These commentators are wrong, time to Twitter bomb their accounts.

[Nocley]

Osyp has been really out of it all day it seems. Several times made bad comments about the lands during the Painter-MUD match when there was a blood moon out.

[Jon]

Osyp has been really out of it all day it seems. Several times made bad comments about the lands during the Painter-MUD match when there was a blood moon out.

I just turn off the volume when he is on.

[Barook]

RUG Delver is in the finals after beating MUD 3-1. Looks like we're getting a RUG vs. Deathblade final, considering how things are going right now.

[Darkenslight]

RUG Delver is in the finals after beating MUD 3-1. Looks like we're getting a RUG vs. Deathblade final, considering how things are going right now.

I like hoe the Prison deck lost by the middle of G3 of the Storm match. :D

EDIT: Also, good gods, what has Osyp been smoking lately?

[Lord_Mcdonalds]

I don't like this calm collected osyp, I preferred the osyp that would tell viewers the way to win pro tours is to buy arc bound ravagers while mocking the affinity player's play mistakes, who would go on to win because affinity

That all aside, infect and loam pox getting into top 8 was pretty cool to see