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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AriLax
OMFG. Awesome. I don't know how realistically good it'll be, it pretty much requires them to use Study and not Entomb. But it may be worth trying.
I'm currently working on a new list, it'll be released later on this week. As the sideboard may be changing if there's a banning or not on Wednesday night.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Played 2 tournaments this weekend.
Played with DDay UBWr and lost to EsperBlade( messed up with my pile and lost to a 1W -Inst - Landfall - Gain 8 life and a goodly t1 to t5 in game1) , also I got beat until I cry by SneakShow( G1 he T2 on play put an Griselbrand with fow backup, G2 he put T3 Emrakul after playing Pierce, Pierce, Fow and ending with 0 cards in hand).
This was very dissapoint and make me think that, if Sneak and Shows(and Reanimator) are killing us this fast and consistent, them I should go back to TES and kill them fast and make they suffer much more pain with 20 storms, also maindeck duress a + 4 IoK-pos SB should take care of their fast kills with fow backup.
So it takes me to Sunday, when I played with TES and finished in 10th at a 70-man tournament( prizes were for top16, with some FoWs, Blue duals, wastes and a delta), so I got a Polluted Delta to make some cash.
I will be very short but I would like to discuss some aspects.
I played WITHOUT EtW at SB, that's why:
1) With IoK I really don't need to make a bunch of goblins against Maverick, and T2 on draw it can be risk with their noble/ooze/thalias/jitte shitness)
2)I would not go for this route against Reanimator/Sneak or other combo.
3)There is almost no UW/x , and if it is not T1 , they can Stone , Ligering Souls, Batterskull + Souls.Also the match seems good so no need to try to be a belcherdeck.
So I got the 60 standard list( all foil , and missing 2 Fbb German U. Sea) plus this 15 SB:
1 ToA
1 PiF
1 Iggy
1 DR
1 Grapeshot
1 Shattering Spree( I was thinking about cutting this and the 1 Seize for 2 Pyro but a saw some Chalices decks and change my mind)
1 Seize
1 Virtue's Ruin
2 Echoiung Truth(thinking about putting a CoV or a Silent Departure here)
1 CoV
4 IoK
I got beat by Team America(who drew all 4 FoWs , Mana Leak , Pierce, Snare + 2 Seize and Snapcaster at g1 and g2 by 2 fast tarmogoyfs with FoW, Snare , wastes).No news here, it is just a bad matchup.
And by a Nic-Fit player( G1 I just DR , then Iggy to DR again and keep drawing like 3 lands , 2 chants , 1 petal , duress with a bunch of lands/petals in play) and G2 I win before a MB Trap shot my first earlier Adn, G3 I BW-> Seize -> take MB trap after que mulliged to 4 searching it, he plays Sensei's Divining Top , veteran and therapy me twice(hiting just 2 Rites of Flame) while I cantrip twice and play landdrops.He draws and witness for MB Trap, I BS and decide I should go for it next turn, so I play petals(except one(!) because if he draws and blows Deed and can still try to combo a 1 turn late) , mox and pass.I untap an play Ddark Ritual -> Adn, draw a bunch of cards (no LEDs here), duress his MB Trap, but I feel he is still confident so I guess he has another MB Trap hide on his top.I try to play around it, so I storm for 12 and ToA, which get Exiled by his hidden MB Trap, So I'm just left with 6 mana , IT , IoK in hand and ToA still in my deck, ok I'm one mana short of killing him, and the Judge calls for the 5 turns, I'm siting at 6 life, and he has a lone Witness so I'm dead on turn5.I decide to IoK him taking his last card( a SDT) and leaving him only with a SDT on his top, then I IT -> BW and get PiF, since I have 7 initial mana sources on my table(lands and moxes) he I even don't care if he tops into a Hymn(he was playing it) or Therapy he has two outs, play SDT and "blind" flip into a Deed to blow my 2 moxes and pray for me not draing a land/manaspell, or deal with my grave, he sees the SDT and flip ir to draw 1 of 2 Nihil Spellbombs.I just wanted write about this game, it was very exciting and fun, trying to play around a bounch of stuff and make some thought decisions.
The other games were easy or comum games against:
UW Miracle(featuring CB, g2 I beat him besides he having CB on table and 2 fecths + pierce)
Dreadge w/LED( two mulligan-oriented T2/T3 kills)
Affinity
Enchantress( friend who conceded in reponse to the 19 storm)
UB( discards + pierce + Reanimator + Ooze combo w/ FoW pos-SB)
Finished 5-2, got at 10th, because my standing were really bad since I lost at round1(Team America) and r4(Nic-Fit), also got the Affinity player no round3(which was 1-1 because got a bye on round2).
I'm starting to see a decrease in the Maverick numbers and UW , with an increase with Canadian , Reanimator and Sneak Show(also people playing less Snares and more Pierces). I would like to put back some Pyroblast at the SB, killing a T1 delver or countering a Show and Tell would be very good.Also, maybe a reanimate in the SB if Reanimator Griselbrad starts to be a much more common presence? What you guys, think about it? With a lot's of Griselbrands cheat decks( 2 combo pieces) and Canadian storm the life is a little harder for us.
Sorry for some grammar and being more long than I indeeded.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Woah. Bryant reacted positively to an idea in the thread. I think I need an adult. It is a pretty cool idea, though!
Bryant: Will your new list be available before this weekend? I'd be interested in seeing it before SCG Detroit.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
thefringthing
... Opponents had everything they could possibly have virtually 100% of the time while I drew garbage and flipped garbage to Ad Nauseam all day. Pretty frustrating.
I've been there dude, I feel your pain. I ran this deck a few weeks back and literaly lost EVERY SINGLE GAME. Some times, it just isn't your day. :frown:
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TerribleTim68
I've been there dude, I feel your pain. I ran this deck a few weeks back and literaly lost EVERY SINGLE GAME. Some times, it just isn't your day. :frown:
And some days you face staxx/hatebear.dec and turn 1 them twice.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AriLax
Why not just go for Bribery?
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bryant Cook
[Reanimate] pretty much requires them to use Study and not Entomb. But it may be worth trying.
Usually if they Entomb EOT you are trying to Silence them on upkeep. Just makes "going off" the next turn easier in that case.
As for the person who suggested Bribery, if I can Wish with five up they should die anyways. Reanimate actually allows for "comboing" in new scenarios.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
This is just something I'm fooling around with, nothing is set in stone. Watching Eli and the rest of the Sneak and Show guys at the invitational made me really realize the power of probe. While the list below only plays two, I've considered adding a third over the forth Chrome Mox. The only problem with this is that it makes Ad Nauseam weaker. Speaking of which, there's only one Ad Nauseam now. It's just something I'm trying, two has been perfectly fine, but I want to shake things up. With only one Ad Nauseam the deck should be able to get away with three moxen, but the life loss from Probe can be a hindrance. So... two or three probe, I haven't decided yet. The other slot in the maindeck was the Inquisition, with less and less Maverick it's not necessary in the main.
I was wrong about Probe, perfect information that doesn't slow down the combo is amazing.
The EPIC Storm
Decklist as of 06/20/2012
4 Gemstone Mine
2 City of Brass
2 Scalding Tarn
2 Underground Sea
1 Volcanic Island
1 Polluted Delta
1 Bloodstained Mire
4 Lion’s Eye Diamond
4 Lotus Petal
4 Chrome Mox
4 Dark Ritual
4 Rite of Flame
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Burning Wish
4 Infernal Tutor
3 Duress
2 Orim’s Chant
2 Silence
2 Gitaxian Probe
1 Ad Nauseam
1 Tendrils of Agony
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Xantid Swarm
2 Echoing Truth
2 Deathmark
1 Shattering Spree
1 Grapeshot
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Diminishing Returns
1 Past in Flames
Honestly, I'm a crazy person. Part of me wants to keep two Probe just because the numbers on the decklist look better that way. But I know I need to do what's optimal. I need to test a bit more before I come to a final conclusion. You'll notice that there's also some changes in the sideboard. Well, Xantid Swarm to start. It's back! With the rise of Sneak and Show along with Reanimator, I believe it's time to bring our bug friend back in the sideboard as well. Three Inquisition, while Maverick may be dying out, I still dislike being cold to Thalia (She's a hooker). There's really no room for a sideboard Duress, if you feel confident going 2/1, go ahead.
The lack of Ill-Gotten Gains, I don't cast this card very often. It's really only good against super aggressive decks such as Zoo or Burn. Instead of using Gains, try to buy some time and Past in Flames instead.
No Reanimate, it's only good with Study. Chanting them in the upkeep is too much work. In order for this to happen they have to entomb, not have counters, pass, then Burning Wish for Reanimate and cast. Seems like a lot of, "What ifs". I'm just going to cover them in bugs instead.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
in my opinion 3 probes looks a lot better than 2, but i'll give it a try
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
I'll try it out before the SCG Open this weekend. I really like Ill-Gotten Gains, so I'm a bit sad to see it go, but I certainly willing to give it a shot.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Team Nijmegen played 3 Mox, 1 AdN, 4 Probes, 1 Empty, 3 Wish, 0 ToA at GP Amsterdam last year and did pretty decent with 3 people making day-2.
With the misdirections and leylines around I'd probably run 4 Silence before the first Chant.
And I've also considered Swarms (but then in ANT) as a decent answer to SnT/Reanimate. Green in general seems solid in this metagame with Carpet for RUG, Swarm for SnT/Reanimate en 1-2 Grips for Miracle Counterbalance.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Since you're running Probes now, have you considered Cabal Therapy as well? I'm actually running it as a one-of without any Probes, and am never really unhappy to see it.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JamieW89
Team Nijmegen played 3 Mox, 1 AdN, 4 Probes, 1 Empty, 3 Wish, 0 ToA at GP Amsterdam last year and did pretty decent with 3 people making day-2.
With the misdirections and leylines around I'd probably run 4 Silence before the first Chant.
And I've also considered Swarms (but then in ANT) as a decent answer to SnT/Reanimate. Green in general seems solid in this metagame with Carpet for RUG, Swarm for SnT/Reanimate en 1-2 Grips for Miracle Counterbalance.
I've thought about 4 Silence. I'm just not sure if it's the best option, countering a Silence and Surgical'ing it would pretty much mean game over against RUG. They do board in Surgical too. Having all four Chants being the same name worries me, if people can convince me otherwise I'll switch.
The kicker on Chant is relevant too, I beat Goblins last month in the top 8 off of a terrible Nauseam only because I got to Chant with Kicker two turns in a row until I could recover. I know this isn't exactly common, but these situations do happen. I've yet to have a Chant sent back at me but I do know that it's a possibility.
I have no desire to play either Carpet or Grip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bloodcookie
Since you're running Probes now, have you considered Cabal Therapy as well? I'm actually running it as a one-of without any Probes, and am never really unhappy to see it.
Two Probe isn't worth running Therapy. Even if I ran four I don't think I would, Duress/Inquisition is better in most circumstances and doesn't need support.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
New list looks pretty bad, mostly due to the abandonment of IGG. I could see myself being wrong about Probe (haven't really ever been a big fan of it in this deck), but there's no good reason at all to cut IGG. Absolutely none. Xantid Swarm on the other hand looks like it could be good (again).
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KevinTrudeau
Looks pretty bad, mostly due to the abandonment of IGG.
It's a sacred cow at this point. When was the last time you actually used the card? It's just not that good at the moment, if the metagame shifted toward faster aggro decks I could see it re-added to the sideboard. But for now, it's chopped.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bryant Cook
When was the last time you actually used the card?
All the time, and I'm not just saying that (though, to be fair, I never actually cast the card at the GP). Turn one IT (due to Mox usually) for another LED with BW in hand vs. fair decks is a fairly common line, and that's just one line.
Also, out of curiosity and to try to get into your thought process a bit, what specific lines of play/game states won Probe over with you?
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Eli Kassis, James Higgenbottom, and Nick Patnode were all on the card for Sneak and the fact it didn't cost mana often made them a turn faster with plenty of turn twos since they didn't need to be worried about protection. It really opened up my eyes.
Probe -> See no Force
Tomb, Petal, Show and Tell happened a couple of times. It was nuts.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
I do remember Matthias Hunt playing and speaking highly of it in Spiral Tide at the first monthly tournament at the local store after the GP, and there is a weekly tomorrow, so I might just have to try it (and Swarm and possibly Therapy if I'm feeling super experimental) out. It's obviously great in DDFT, so I could definitely be wrong; it might actually just warrant a place in pretty much every combo deck. Still definitely playing IGG though.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
A lot of Ill-Gotten Gains kills can become Diminishing Returns kills or Ad Nauseam kills without requiring additional resources, but these options involve some chance of bricking.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KevinTrudeau
I do remember Matthias Hunt playing and speaking highly of it in Spiral Tide at the first monthly tournament at the local store after the GP, and there is a weekly tomorrow, so I might just have to try it (and Swarm and possibly Therapy if I'm feeling super experimental) out. It's obviously great in DDFT, so I could definitely be wrong; it might actually just warrant a place in pretty much every combo deck. Still definitely playing IGG though.
You'll find Probe to be good, not fantastic, but good. Swarm to be just as good as you remember in those match-ups and Therapy to be terrible in a deck with so few reveal effects and no way to flash it back.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
The reason I've eschewed Probe myself is that I found it often resulted in an unplayable Infernal Tutor - that 'draw a card' clause can really bite you in the ass. This hasn't been an issue for you?
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Probe seems like good tech against Sneak N Show right now. If it wasn't for that deck I would probably dismiss Probe.
Not surprised to see IGG go. If I had four mana and burning wish I would go for either Diminishing Returns, Empty the Warrens, or Past in Flames. IGG is good when the situation arises, but it is too situational.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Though i agree probe is good card to use before deciding to go off but if after probing an opponent and you realise his hands are full of counters, won't you still have to wait for a MB duress to strip his hand off it? Maybe by then, he might have more counters. So why not opt for the reactive route by playing more duress in the first place? Thanks
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
I don't understand the advantage a Gitaxian Probe has over a 4th Duress, is being free and taking 2 damage to see the opponent's hand really any better than costing B to see the opponent's hand and either remove their disruption, threat or cantrip? Technically Gitaxian Probe allows you to be a turn faster when they don't have disruption, but Duress always achieves parity and actually does something to advance your gameplan when they do have it.
I'm also not a fan of cutting the 2nd Ad Nauseam, the deck is threat light as it is and I want to rely on open handing my threats instead of drawing into them as much as possible. I think Silence probably gets the nod over Orim's Chant, with Sneak Attack there's a non zero amount of Misdirections and Leyline of Sanctity in the metagame. Xantid Swarm is an old favorite, but not being useful in the RUG and Maverick match up makes me want to stick with IoKs in the SB. I don't think IGG is a sacred cow, but it's useful to be able to sb it in vs. aggro and go for the IT-BW-IGG loops with LED so I wouldn't cut it personally unless it was for soemthing vital
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Probe is a strong card, but doesn't it force us to rely less on Ad Nauseam? In this case, it may be a good call to put a PiF in the main, make PiF our main plan in g1. This way we can also probably cut a Mox.
That was the idea behind Elie Pichon's list (the ANT list in GP Amsterdam top 8), with 4 Probe, 1 AdN, 1 PiF MD. The good thing with TES is that we could cut PiF in g2 easily, if we face too many extractions effect.
I never tried a PiF MD in TES myself (although I wish-tutor for him quite often in g1), but it may be the way to go if we put Probe in the main.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Final Fortune
I don't understand the advantage a Gitaxian Probe has over a 4th Duress, is being free and taking 2 damage to see the opponent's hand really any better than costing B to see the opponent's hand and either remove their disruption, threat or cantrip? Technically Gitaxian Probe allows you to be a turn faster when they don't have disruption, but Duress always achieves parity and actually does something to advance your gameplan when they do have it.
I'm also not a fan of cutting the 2nd Ad Nauseam, the deck is threat light as it is and I want to rely on open handing my threats instead of drawing into them as much as possible. I think Silence probably gets the nod over Orim's Chant, with Sneak Attack there's a non zero amount of Misdirections and Leyline of Sanctity in the metagame. Xantid Swarm is an old favorite, but not being useful in the RUG and Maverick match up makes me want to stick with IoKs in the SB. I don't think IGG is a sacred cow, but it's useful to be able to sb it in vs. aggro and go for the IT-BW-IGG loops with LED so I wouldn't cut it personally unless it was for soemthing vital
Because Duress isn't good in every matchup? Duress isn't good when all the opponent has is chaff? Don't get me wrong Duress is a good card but it's not always the best card for the situation. Being able to peek for two life is incredible since it doesn't slow down the deck at all and will take away the fear of unknowing if the opponent has the force of will or not. Probe is much more of a live card in matchups without Force of Will compared to Duress. If they do have Force of Will, bummer, the deck still has protection spells in it. The slot was replacing an inquisition which wouldn't take a Force of Will anyway. Probe is card parity too, without costing mana or speed.
The second Ad Nauseam isn't bad. I even said that, but to be honest, I don't care what you like. Two Probe will make the remaining Ad Nauseam much stronger. Not to mention the percentages of minus one Ad Nauseam/plus two Probe on drawing business in the opener is very minuscule. I'm beginning to wonder if you even read the post before jumping to conclusions, you don't board in Xantid vs Rug or Maverick. There's still three inquisition in the sideboard.
Dionykos- it's a two of, there's no room for a maindeck Past in Flames anyway. in order to add Past in Flames and more Probe you'd have to cut real protection for too many peek effects which isn't worth it in the long run.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bryant Cook
Dionykos- it's a two of, there's no room for a maindeck Past in Flames anyway. in order to add Past in Flames and more Probe you'd have to cut real protection for too many peek effects which isn't worth it in the long run.
I agree. But PiF is probably the way to go for people here who want to play 3/4 Probe. There's also a couple of things I don't like with too many Probes:
1) it kind of makes starting hands with multiple probes quite bad, forces a mulligan, since we lose information about our own starting hand (we don't know what we'll get from the Probes). Of course, if you play only 2, that won't be a problem.
2) It's a bad card to reveal on a Ponder or Brainstorm, often you would rather have an active card. Again you kinda lose the information you could have get from those Ponders and Brainstorms.
But I haven't played the card extensively, so maybe Probe is better than I think.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Test it out for yourselves. Jeez. Like it? Run it. Don't? Oh well.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bryant Cook
Because Duress isn't good in every matchup? Duress isn't good when all the opponent has is chaff? Don't get me wrong Duress is a good card but it's not always the best card for the situation. Being able to peek for two life is incredible since it doesn't slow down the deck at all and will take away the fear of unknowing if the opponent has the force of will or not. Probe is much more of a live card in matchups without Force of Will compared to Duress. If they do have Force of Will, bummer, the deck still has protection spells in it. The slot was replacing an inquisition which wouldn't take a Force of Will anyway. Probe is card parity too, without costing mana or speed.
The second Ad Nauseam isn't bad. I even said that, but to be honest, I don't care what you like. Two Probe will make the remaining Ad Nauseam much stronger. Not to mention the percentages of minus one Ad Nauseam/plus two Probe on drawing business in the opener is very minuscule. I'm beginning to wonder if you even read the post before jumping to conclusions, you don't board in Xantid vs Rug or Maverick. There's still three inquisition in the sideboard.
Dionykos- it's a two of, there's no room for a maindeck Past in Flames anyway. in order to add Past in Flames and more Probe you'd have to cut real protection for too many peek effects which isn't worth it in the long run.
I don't think it's relevant to compare the utility of Duress vs Gitaxian Probe vs decks without disruption, because you're going to win the game regardless of whether or not you resolved a Duress or Gitaxian Probe vs a deck that can't defend itself from Storm. I don't want to play a card that only tells me when I'm ahead or behind my opponent's disruption, I want to play a card that puts me ahead of my opponent's disruption in order to win thru' the worst case scenarios. Gitaxian Probe just loses value as the match progresses because the opponent's mulligans will give you a better idea as to whether or not he has a counter spell anyway.
The difference between 9 threats and 10 threats isn't marginal fwiw, it significantly changes the odds of being able to Brainstorm or Ponder into an Ad Nauseam 4tw. And only playing 1 Ad Nauseam creates awkward situations where you draw the Ad Nauseam and can't utilitize your Infernal Tutor and Lion's Eye Diamond in hand or can't cast the Ad Nauseam to bait counters and then tutor into a second Ad Nauseam.
My point regarding Xantid Swarm is that you're sacrificing space on more disruption than you need, where IoK would suffice vs Sneak Attack by discarding the Spell Pierces and Flusterstorms. I suppose IoK is problematic if its one of those Sneak Attack lists that play 3 Misdirection, but then they're playing 3 dead counters vs. Silences anyway. You can pretty much SB in IoK in every match up, Xantid Swarm is much more narrow.
I'm sure the list can still put up wins, I just don't think it's as sturdy as 4 Duress and the 2nd Ad Nauseam.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
I appear to have sold my Xantid Swarms when I picked up the FBB German duals for this deck, but hopefully someone will bring Sneak Show to local Legacy tonight and I'll try to jam sideboarded games with it. I like it in principle since Show and Tell decks tend not to have any meaningful removal but are super counterspell dense since their combo is fairly compact.
Goldfishing with Probe has been interesting. Removing the second Ad Nauseam does noticeably improve the remaining copy. I'm still kind of paranoid about Diminishing Returns, but relying on it more has gone okay so far.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
If you guys are playing Xantid Swarm for Sneak Attack, I think you should try playing with SB Bribery instead because having an "I win" target is a lot better than either Empty the Warrens and risking a resolved Griselbrand or Diminishing Returns and risking a drawn counter spell. It's pretty much a SB Ad Nauseam vs the exact match ups where you really need a straight path to victory, plus if it fizzles you're still left with sick board position.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Final Fortune
If you guys are playing Xantid Swarm for Sneak Attack, I think you should try playing with SB Bribery instead because having an "I win" target is a lot better than either Empty the Warrens and risking a resolved Griselbrand or Diminishing Returns and risking a drawn counter spell. It's pretty much a SB Ad Nauseam vs the exact match ups where you really need a straight path to victory, plus if it fizzles you're still left with sick board position.
Are you crazy? Do you realize how much Japanese foil Briberys cost?
(Along with Telemin Performance in certain abstract metagames, legit doesn't sound half bad despite narrowness, SB space permitting; both 3UU targets are potentially tremendous elixirs for those awkward hands where you can't for the life of you find a business spell other than BW. The counterargument is, of course (and this goes for potentially any other Wishable 4+ CMC wincon/storm generator— PiF, IGG, EtW, etc.), "DR can potentially do the same thing for one mana less and has way more applications", but if Griselbrand decks become the top dog in the format this summer, I could definitely see it being correct to play. Note that I'm not backing it at all, I'm just not calling it chaff.)
Also, thank you for reminding me of another major criticism (probably the biggest one, actually) of the new list I forgot to add in my initial go-over— cutting the second Ad Nauseam. I don't feel like debating over it as the debate in question would be frivolous, but I'd just like to add that that should have been in my first post in this thread yesterday.
I most definitely cast IGG more than I cast PiF; not dramatically more (it's probably close to even), but I still cast it a lot.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Final Fortune
I don't think it's relevant to compare the utility of Duress vs Gitaxian Probe vs decks without disruption, because you're going to win the game regardless of whether or not you resolved a Duress or Gitaxian Probe vs a deck that can't defend itself from Storm. I don't want to play a card that only tells me when I'm ahead or behind my opponent's disruption, I want to play a card that puts me ahead of my opponent's disruption in order to win thru' the worst case scenarios. Gitaxian Probe just loses value as the match progresses because the opponent's mulligans will give you a better idea as to whether or not he has a counter spell anyway.
How is it not relevant? Duress in those match-ups is a blank where Probe is another land drop, tutor, or Lion's Eye Diamond. You're assuming the hand is already capable of winning, probe can fix hands while giving information.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Final Fortune
The difference between 9 threats and 10 threats isn't marginal fwiw, it significantly changes the odds of being able to Brainstorm or Ponder into an Ad Nauseam 4tw. And only playing 1 Ad Nauseam creates awkward situations where you draw the Ad Nauseam and can't utilitize your Infernal Tutor and Lion's Eye Diamond in hand or can't cast the Ad Nauseam to bait counters and then tutor into a second Ad Nauseam.
It is marginal, the percentages are incredibly small especially considering Probe draws a card. Meaning that it can draw into more business spells. In the rare occurrence that you draw a one of, can't create five mana, or Brainstorm it back? Sure, got me bro. I hardly ever bait an Ad Nauseam, if I'm wasting that many resources, that shit better resolve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Final Fortune
My point regarding Xantid Swarm is that you're sacrificing space on more disruption than you need, where IoK would suffice vs Sneak Attack by discarding the Spell Pierces and Flusterstorms. I suppose IoK is problematic if its one of those Sneak Attack lists that play 3 Misdirection, but then they're playing 3 dead counters vs. Silences anyway. You can pretty much SB in IoK in every match up, Xantid Swarm is much more narrow.
I agree that I'm using a lot of sideboard space on protection, however, they don't fill the same roles. If I had to choose one over the other I'd choose IoK every time. When I originally posted this list did I not say this was a work in progress? In my recent goldfishing I've found that I would really like a sideboard Duress due to the additional information from Probe. Duress and Ill-Gotten Gains may replace the two Xantids. I still believe that Ill-Gotten Gains is a sacred cow though, it's not as useful as people make it out to seem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Final Fortune
If you guys are playing Xantid Swarm for Sneak Attack, I think you should try playing with SB Bribery instead because having an "I win" target is a lot better than either Empty the Warrens and risking a resolved Griselbrand or Diminishing Returns and risking a drawn counter spell. It's pretty much a SB Ad Nauseam vs the exact match ups where you really need a straight path to victory, plus if it fizzles you're still left with sick board position.
Yes, a five mana spell is the answer. If you could resolve this you were already winning. The point of running Xantid was to get cruical spells to resolve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KevinTrudeau
Are you crazy? Do you realize how much Japanese foil Briberys cost?
(Along with Telemin Performance in certain abstract metagames, legit doesn't sound half bad despite narrowness, SB space permitting; both 3UU targets are potentially tremendous elixirs for those awkward hands where you can't for the life of you find a business spell other than BW. The counterargument is, of course (and this goes for potentially any other Wishable 4+ CMC wincon/storm generator— PiF, IGG, EtW, etc.), "DR can potentially do the same thing for one mana less and has way more applications", but if Griselbrand decks become the top dog in the format this summer, I could definitely see it being correct to play. Note that I'm not backing it at all, I'm just not calling it chaff.)
Also, thank you for reminding me of another major criticism (probably the biggest one, actually) of the new list I forgot to add in my initial go-over— cutting the second Ad Nauseam. I don't feel like debating over it as the debate in question would be frivolous, but I'd just like to add that that should have been in my first post in this thread yesterday.
I most definitely cast IGG more than I cast PiF; not dramatically more (it's probably close to even), but I still cast it a lot.
I will not be running a five mana card as an answer for a match-up with counterspells. Sorry.
I don't plan on adding the second Ad Nauseam back in, I've been really happy with only one. The lone Ad Nauseam really increases the results.
Also, I plan on trying four Silence. Although, I know the second they get Surgical'd or can't kick it to buy time I'm going to be upset. Below is where I'm currently at:
The EPIC Storm
Decklist as of 06/21/2012
4 Gemstone Mine
2 City of Brass
2 Scalding Tarn
2 Underground Sea
1 Volcanic Island
1 Polluted Delta
1 Bloodstained Mire
4 Lion’s Eye Diamond
4 Lotus Petal
4 Chrome Mox
4 Dark Ritual
4 Rite of Flame
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Burning Wish
4 Infernal Tutor
4 Silence
3 Duress
2 Gitaxian Probe
1 Ad Nauseam
1 Tendrils of Agony
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Echoing Truth
2 Deathmark
1 Duress
1 Shattering Spree
1 Grapeshot
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Diminishing Returns
1 Ill-Gotten Gains
1 Past in Flames
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Dropping xantid swarm off of show and tell is an incredible play, no matter what they drop. As sneak and show is highly unlikely to have any outs to a xantid swarm on the table. If sneak and show becomes the number 1 deck in terms of numbers I could see xantid as a 4 of in the board if not maindeck to fight the SnT menace.
Right now silence > chant in my eyes, having chant misdirected is infuriating. Or when people board leyline of sanctity orim's chant looks pretty terrible. But overall it's a metacall as to which card is better, if you face decks without misdirection or leyline of sanctity chant is the superior card. If you do face decks with misdirection or leyline, I like silence a lot more.
I wouldn't have telemin performance or bribery as a wish target. Good luck resolving those against a deck with spell pierce and such. As sweet as it would be to get a griselbrand on our side of the table as a psuedo bargain in a storm deck, it just isn't likely to occur in practice all that often.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Just so that no one gets the wrong idea, I would just like to reiterate that I'm not backing Bribery or Telemin Performance at all, whatsoever; I was simply stating that in certain (currently only existing in the abstract) metagames, it could be correct to play either 5 CMC wincon, as they enable keepable hands where Burning Wish is the only business spell an immediate kill option (as Empty the Warrens is against so many decks). Combined Griselbrand decks would have to reach the numbers Delver's currently seeing in Standard (possibly more, maybe Jund or even Caw Blade) before I would possibly consider Bribery a suitable Wish target.
List looks better, Bryant, as do the Mets; I was already very displeased when the Twins let go of R.A. Dickey back in 2009, and that vexation has only multiplied over the course of the past few years. Would be awesome if Swarm could somehow be fit in, but it might not be realistic if Maverick continues to be a tier one deck.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KevinTrudeau
List looks better, Bryant, as do the Mets; I was already very displeased when the Twins let go of R.A. Dickey back in 2009, and that vexation has only multiplied over the course of the past few years. Would be awesome if Swarm could somehow be fit in, but it might not be realistic if Maverick continues to be a tier one deck.
I want Xantid in the list, but there's no room right now. I really don't like the sideboard Gains, but the list needs a Duress and there's no point in running a 1 of Swarm.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bryant Cook
I want Xantid in the list, but there's no room right now. I really don't like the sideboard Gains, but the list needs a Duress and there's no point in running a 1 of Swarm.
You could just shave a deathmark if you're more concerned with losing to unfair decks than maverick, which given recent top 8 results is probably correct. Or ,as much as you probably would hate to cut it, grapeshot, because its utility is pretty non-existent.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
How is Diminishing Returns or Empty the Warrens better than Bribery when you're forced to wish for your win condition? Vs Sneak Attack or Reanimator, Bribery is essentially a wishable Ad Nauseam for 14 cards with a demon left on the board, where Diminishing Returns and Empty the Warrens give the opponent the ability to either draw a counter or resolve a Griselbrand.
Granted it's narrow, but Burning Wish really sucks ass in the Sneak Attack/Reanimator match up otherwise, and for 7 mana Griselbrand is a pretty good deal. I have no idea what Spell Pierce and Flusterstorm even have to do with playing Bribery as a win condition, when either you out disrupt them with Silence and Duress or you can play thru' their counters completely with an extra LED. We should actually be thanking God nobody is playing Spell Snare right now, it gives LED significantly more utility to act as a "REB" of sorts.
I really don't understand how you can say Burning Wish -> Bribery (Griselbrand) is unplayable compared to playing Infernal Tutor -> Ad Nauseam, when it's better than Infernal Tutor -> Ad Nauseam as long as the opponent is playing Griselbrand. I'd be incredibly tempted to play both Bribery and Reanimate in the SB if I had the space just to metagame vs Griselbrand.dec, because you will face it in the Top 8 quite a bit.
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Hi guys, I'm a little new to the TES deck and I've been playing it a lot recently. But I am confused on what situation you would use IGG, PiF or DR? Please give me a specific scenario of when these things would happen.
Especially IGG, I really don't understand the "loop". Thanks all
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Re: [Deck] T.E.S. - The EPIC Storm
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jessenator
Hi guys, I'm a little new to the TES deck and I've been playing it a lot recently. But I am confused on what situation you would use IGG, PiF or DR? Please give me a specific scenario of when these things would happen.
Especially IGG, I really don't understand the "loop". Thanks all
Igg is pretty conditional, but a good example is when you have dark rit 2 leds and an infernal. You cast the rit and leds, cast infernal making bbbrrr, search for wish and cast floating bbbbr, get igg and cast it floating b, get rit led tutor, cast them into tendrils for 20. Also, drawing double burning wish with leds or several rituals can do it as well.