ReChainimator

[Rmosto]

ReChainimator

https://cdn.pucatrade.com/cards/crops/sm/10009.jpg

http://www.mtgeezer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/FOOD-CHAIN.png

Introduction

I will be the first one to say it. Transformational sideboards usually suck. 15 cards in a transformational sideboard is usually not enough cards to sleeve up a competitive 60 post. However, In a legacy meta that is very hostile to graveyard strategies I believe a transformational sideboard for UB Reanimator into a Hybrid BUG Reanimator - Food Chain deck has some serious potential. Reanimator and Food Chain strategies have interesting overlapping synergies that result in surprisingly powerful lines of play. The purpose of this thread is to engage the legacy community in playtesting and developing Reanimator-FoodChain. ReChainimator

Motivation

Observation 1: The rise of BR all-in Reanimator has made the current legacy meta in 2017 very hostile to reanimation and graveyard strategies
Observation 2: The Food Chain combo is rising the ranks of legacy competitive tiers. It has already won half a dozen large legacy tournaments in 2017. Chaining Griffins is a very powerful strategy.
Observation 3: A transition away from stifle/daze delver strategies towards Leovold BUG Midrange Strategies has seemed to improve Reanimator's game 1 win rates
Observation 4: There is significant overlap already between UB Reanimator and Food Chain
Observation 5: There are complimentary synergies between both deck strategies

Sideboarding Plan

In games 2-3 your opponent will likely side in and/or try and find graveyard hate. Expect the following:

Surgical Extraction
Leyline of the Void
Flusterstorm
Faerie Macabre
Scavenging Ooze
Deathrite Shaman
Bojuka Bog
Rest in Peace
Tormod's Crypt
Chalice of the Void
Grafdigger's Cage


Sideboard strategy (to come)

Hybrid Reanimator-Chain typical games 2-3 decklist (to come)

Individual Card Analysis (to come)



Sample Decklist


Lands

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

Creatures

1 Iona, Shield of Emeria
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
2 Tidespout Tyrant
1 Jace, Vryn's Prodigy
3 Griselbrand

Spells

4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Careful Study
4 Force of Will
4 Reanimate
4 Exhume
4 Entomb
3 Thoughtseize
2 Fatal Push
2 Abrupt Decay

Sideboard

4 Food Chain
4 Deathrite Shaman
3 Misthollow Griffin
2 Manipulate Fate
1 Abrupt Decay
1 Fatal Push

[Deisss]

Well there is an idea here, but the result does not get it to the spot...

First of all, you miss tidespout tyrant, it's one of the two best creature of Food Chain with Emrakul, as it's able to clear entirely and repeatedly the board...

So on the main I would do:
-1 Grave Titan
+1 Tidespout tyrant

I may even add a second one in place of Jace...

Second Im not sure that Deathrite Shaman is enough to generate the needed mana for Food Chain combo.
It's a really tight deck on mana, and having 3 mana is already difficult (even 2 sometimes is difficult). So reaching 3, then 4 (even if deathrite may help to exile himself) is a dangerous place.

I would probably in this case cut the Lotus petal for some real lands, because in a build like this you can't afford to loose mana...
Also, lotus petal are there for explosive start, which you "middle need" on the game 1, and "definitely need" on game 2 and more.

Hope that helps ;)

[ESG]

Cool idea. Good observations, and thanks for the write-up. Have you done some testing with this list, or is it a thought experiment at this point? As you've noted, the main hurdle for transformational sideboards is not having enough space, but that becomes easier as more compact combos are printed over time.

I agree with Deisss' comments. Sixteen lands is definitely too light for a Food Chain deck.

[Rmosto]

Well there is an idea here, but the result does not get it to the spot...

First of all, you miss tidespout tyrant, it's one of the two best creature of Food Chain with Emrakul, as it's able to clear entirely and repeatedly the board...

So on the main I would do:
-1 Grave Titan
+1 Tidespout tyrant

I may even add a second one in place of Jace...

Second Im not sure that Deathrite Shaman is enough to generate the needed mana for Food Chain combo.
It's a really tight deck on mana, and having 3 mana is already difficult (even 2 sometimes is difficult). So reaching 3, then 4 (even if deathrite may help to exile himself) is a dangerous place.

I would probably in this case cut the Lotus petal for some real lands, because in a build like this you can't afford to loose mana...
Also, lotus petal are there for explosive start, which you "middle need" on the game 1, and "definitely need" on game 2 and more.

Hope that helps ;)

Hi,

Thanks for the comment. I am not sure where you see grave titan in the list. It is a tidespout tyrant. I completely agree tidespout tyrant is one of the best cards in the deck. I am testing two even at times. I also agree with lotus petal. I am testing no lotus petal and 17 lands. More testing information to come soon.

[Deisss]

Hi,

Thanks for the comment. I am not sure where you see grave titan in the list. It is a tidespout tyrant. I completely agree tidespout tyrant is one of the best cards in the deck. I am testing two even at times. I also agree with lotus petal. I am testing no lotus petal and 17 lands. More testing information to come soon.

My bad sometimes I read too quickly...

Also, why abrupt decay main? And where is Daze ?

And in the SB: do you think there is a spot for Show and Tell + Emrakul package ? S&T is relatively weak in Reanimator, but Emrakul take the right spot for Food chain and Show and Tell...