Bom 2013 Paris, the Eternal Weekend and the most recent SCG Open tournament are now over and we can relax: True-Name Nemesis did not break the format. Only 2 decks in the top 16s of all three events featured Nemesis and none of them were dominant.
For a moment, when some TNN decks wre featured and hyped during BOM, I felt that our testings were wrong and that TNN is a beast. But we can now say for sure that we - the bUrg players - did perhaps more testings than the other deck builders that tried to include TNN in every blue deck build.
The event coverage of the Eternal weekend sums it up really good:
"...Potentially a powerhouse, True-Name Nemesis is going to be one of the biggest question marks this tournament. It is extraordinarily resilient, susceptible to only global removal spells and sacrifice effects. From the moment it hits play, it is a virtual Lightning Bolt a turn, which is capable of quickly ending games. That said, it's also a creature, and one that costs three, to boot. In Legacy, when people tap three mana for a creature, it's usually Griselbrand or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. Paying three mana for something that doesn't effectively end the game on the spot is a risky proposition, yet True-Name Nemesis still has people buzzing.
In the proper shell, the card can be absolutely devastating. So far this weekend, I have seen it in Stoneblade, Shardless BUG, and, of course, Merfolk. It serves as a wonderful clock for control decks, ending the game in short order once the game has been locked up...
Lebedowicz also tested out the newest addition to Legacy: True-Name Nemesis. It has been quite a divisive topic thus far this weekend, as it seems just a touch too slow in many matchups to really shine. It has been taking the place of two-drops for much of the weekend, which has led to more than one lost match. As Hall-of-Famer Randy Buehler said during his commentary, "If you aren't impacting the board on turn two, it's really hard to win in Legacy."..."
The way I see the things regarding of TNN and the developmnt of the meta:
- Normal Esper Blade list pack TNN in instead of Lingering Souls. It has nearly the same speed as the tokens. But for us the matchup does not change at all. Whether they equip a Lingering Souls token or a TNN, it comes nearly down to the same damage - as the other tokens attack, too - and we cannot block neither of those creatures. A timed Golgari Charm stops the Tokens AND TNN. That is why we do not need to adopt our board that much to fight TNN.
- UR Delver will play TNN if they want to play like a tempo deck with TNN as a substutite for Mongoose and/or Goyf. It has a higher curve and therefore will not be the best tempo deck in the format.
- Patriot can replace their Geists with TNN. But as TNN is slower not many lists have included the new Merfolk. The well ranked Patriot lists of BOM 2013 Paris and SCG Open LA did not have a TNN in their 60s. Playing 3-drops against our good mana denial deck is always a problem. No worries here.
- Some Shardless BUG lists have somehow adapted their lists to include TNN. But other important creatures are cut in that process. I mean no Shardless Agent in Shardless BUG and then call it Shardlessless BUG, really? The deck is a bit slower now. Good for us.
- Team America replaced its Tombstalkers with TNN. The list that was hyped during BOM felt clunky with 16 creatures. I have a strong feeling that we are a better tempo deck thaen "tap-out-Delver" aka Team America.
- Merfolk lists did not have good placings during the events. That is due to the fact that Merfolk was always a niche pet deck. We do not need to worry here as there are too few Merfolk decks out there.
However the recent comeback of Elves, the staying power of DnT decks, some good placements of Maverick decks and the fact that many people will just test TNN in the coming weeks has led the bUrg team to change the list and adopt to that situation. In our testings the best boarding plan to fight TNN is to bring in 2 REBS and 1 Golgari Charm (if you play Tormod's 3-Goyf list Rancor might be an option, too). Golgari Charm is a powerhouse versus the Elves, DnT and Maverick and can grab a win or two versus Sneak Attack decks, the most popular combo deck of the US format. Golgari Charm prevents Storm - the perhaps most popular combo deck in Europe - from the EtW-kill. So Golgari Charm is a must now in our sideboards. It is also a way to fight Rest in Peace - one main deck card in many Miracles build. The Miracles archetype will become more popular again after the printing of TNN.
Carsten Linden, the inventor of bUrg, did not attend BOM 2013 Paris due to private reasons but he was sure that bUrg would have had a good chance versus the top decks of the BOM. In fact he regretted not having been able to attend the event and show how good bUrg performs in a meta like this.
He wanted to share with you his latest list, that he developed to take down the event. He played with nearly the same list at the Legacy Championship Antwerp and crushed all the opponents. We boh tuned the list a bit after the results of BOM 2013 Paris, the Eternal weekend and SCG Open LA came in.
We can now proudly present you with our most recent list for the new meta:
Deck: Carsten's and Sasan's bUrg.dec
Maindeck: 60
Creatures:13
3 Deathrite Shaman
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Nimble Mongoose
2 Tarmogoyf
Spells:29
4 Brainstorm
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Ponder
3 Spell Snare
4 Stifle
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Daze
4 Force of Will
Lands:18
3 Misty Rainforest
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Taiga
2 Tropical Island
2 Underground Sea
2 Volcanic Island
4 Wasteland
Sideboard:15
3 Flusterstorm
1 Nihil Spellbomb
2 Pyroblast
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Life from the Loam
2 Fire Covenant
1 Golgari Charm
1 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
3 Submerge
Let me just explain one new seceret tech: Ashiok!
Ashiok is a highly underplayed Planeswalker. Its main application is to break the tempo mirror. Ruining the opponent's brainstorms and grabbing Goyfs, Geists, Mongeese, Delver and perhaps a Nemesis is strong. Carsten won during GP Antwerp all 4 matches versus tempo decks due to Ashiok and/or Nihil Spellbomb. Versus midrange or control decks with strong creatues Ashiok is the real deal, too. With 5 loyality counters when it hits, it is hard to remove. Just try the card before dismissing it. An all-star in today's meta. Look versus how many decks we board it in:
Sideboard Guide
Here is the detailed plan. It separates Nemesis and Non-Nemesis builds.
//BUG Delver:
//OTP: -1 Daze-2 Force-4 Stifle+3 Submerge+1 Fluster+ 1 Ashiok+ 2 ReB
//OTD: -4 Daze- 1 Force-4 Stifle+3 Submerge+3 Fluster+2 ReB + 1 Ashiok
//BUG Delver with Nemesis:
//OTP: -1 Daze-2 Force-4 Stifle+3 Submerge+ 1 Ashiok+ 2 ReB+ 1 Golgari Charm
//OTD: -4 Daze- 1 Force-4 Stifle+3 Submerge+2 Fluster+2 ReB + 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//Shardless BUG:
//OtP: - 4 Force -1 Stifle -2 Daze+ 2 Submerge+ 2 Fire+2 ReB+ 1 Ashiok
//OtD: - 4 Daze -1 Stifle -2 Force+ 2 Submerge+ 2 Fire+2 ReB + 1 Ashiok
//Shardless BUG with Nemesis:
//OtP: - 4 Force -2 Stifle -2 Daze+ 2 Submerge+ 2 Fire+2 ReB+ 1 Ashiok+1 Nemesis
//OtD: - 4 Daze -2 Stifle -2 Force+ 2 Submerge+ 2 Fire+2 ReB + 1 Ashiok+1 Nemesis
//Jund/Rock/Aggro Loam:
OtP: - 4 Force - 2 Stifle -1 Daze+ 3 Submerge + 2 Fire+1 Loam + 1 Ashiok
OtD: - 4 Daze - 3 Stifle -1 Force+ 3 Submerge + 2 Fire+1 Loam + 1 Ashiok
//Omni Tell/Monu U Omni Show Infinite Dreams:
//-4 Mongoose-1 Bolt+2 REB + 3 Fluster
//Sneak Show:
//-1 Mongoose-1 Goyf-3 Snare-1 Bolt+2 REB + 3 Fluster+ 1 Golgari Charm
//Hive Mind:
//-2 Mongoose -1 Goyf-2 Bolt +2 REB +3 Fluster
//Miracles:
//+2 ReB + 3 Fluster+ 1 Golgari Charm- 4 Daze- 2 Bolt
//RUG Delver:
// -4 Daze- 2 Force - 2 Snare +3 Submerge+ 2 REB+1 Loam + 1 Nihil+1 Ashiok
//Blade without Nemesis:
//-2 Daze-1 Force+ 1 Ancient Grudge + 1 Golgari Charm + 1 Ashiok
//Blade with Nemesis:
//OtP: -2 Daze-1 Force+ 1 Ancient Grudge + 1 Golgari Charm + 1 Ashiok
//OtD: - 4 Daze - 1 Force + 1 Ancient Grudge + 1 Golgari Charm + 1 Ashiok + 2 REB
//Death Blade:
//OtP: -2 Force - 2 Daze -1 Stifle + 1 Ancient Grudge+ 1 Loam + 2 Fire Covenant + 1 Ashiok
//OtD: -4 Daze -1 Force + 1 Ancient Grudge+ 1 Loam + 2 Fire Covenant + 1 Ashiok
//Maverick:
//-4 Stifle-1 Force -2 Daze + 3 Submerge+2 Fire+ 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//Punishing Maverick:
//OtP: - 4 Force - 2 Stifle -2 Daze+ 3 Submerge + 2 Fire+1 Loam + 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//OtD: - 4 Daze - 4 Stifle+ 3 Submerge + 2 Fire+1 Loam + 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//Goblins:
//OtP: +1 Ancient Grudge+2 Fire + 1 Golgari Charm - 3 Snare -1 Force
//OtD: +1 Ancient Grudge+2 Fire + 1 Golgari Charm- 3 Snare -1 Daze
//TES/ANT:
//+3 Fluster+2 Fire+1 Nihil+ 1 Golgari Charm- 2 Decay- 2 Mongoose - 2 Goyf -1 Bolt
//Doomsday :
//+3 Fluster+2 ReB- 2 Decay- 1 Mongoose - 1 Goyf -1 Bolt
//Belcher:
//+2 Fire+ 1 Golgari Charm+ 3 Fluster- 4 Wastelands-2 Goyf
//Enchantress:
// +1 Golgari Charm -1 Bolt (Note: Golgari MUST target Argothian Enchantress)
//Dredge:
//+1 Nihil+2 Fire- 3 Snare
//Merfolk:
//OtP: +2 Fire+ 2 ReB+1 Ancient Grudge-4 Stifle-1 Force
//OtD: +2 Fire+ 2 ReB+1 Ancient Grudge-4 Stifle-1 Daze
//Affinity:
//+ 2 ReB + 2 Fire+1 Ancient Grudge-4 Stifle-1 Daze
//Elves:
//-2 Mongoose- 4 Daze + 3 Submerge+2 Fire + 1 Golgari Charm
//UR Burn:
//-4 Stifle+ 2 ReB+2 Fluster
//UR Burn with Pyromancer and/or Nemesis:
//-4 Stifle -1 Daze+ 2 ReB+2 Fluster + 1 Golgari Charm
//Burn:
//-3 Wasteland+ 3 Fluster
//Death&Taxes:
//OtP: -1 Stifle-2 Daze -2 Force + 2 Fire + 1 Grudge + 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//OtD: -4 Daze -1 Stifle+2 Fire+1 Grudge+ 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//NicFit:
// + 1 Golgari Charm+ 2 Fire Covenant+1 Nihil+ 1 Ashiok+ 3 Submerge-3 Snare - 4 Daze -1 Force
//Zombardement:
//+1 Nihil+2 Fire+1 Golgari Charm-4 Mongoose
//Rip Combo:
//+ 2 REB + 3 Fluster+1 Golgari Charm- 4 Bolt- 1 Mongoose - 1 Taiga
//UB Tezzeret:
//-4 Daze+2 REB+1 Ancient Grudge+1 Fire Covenant
//Deadguy Ale:
//OtP: -2 Force -2 Daze - 1 Stifle + 2 Fire+1 Grudge+ 1 Golgari Charm + 1 Ashiok
//OtD: -1 Force -3 Daze - 1 Stifle + 2 Fire+1 Grudge+ 1 Golgari Charm + 1 Ashiok
//Reanimator:
//+ 3 Fluster+ 2 ReB+1 Nihil-2 Decay-2 Goyf -2 Mongoose
//Spiral Tide:
//-4 Wasteland - 1 Mongoose+3 Flusterstorm+2 REB
//Mirror:
//-4 Daze - 3 Snare -2 Force + 3 Submerge + 1 Loam + 2 ReB + 1 Fluster+1 Nihil + 1 Ashiok
//Painter's Servant:
//-4 Wasteland - 2 Mongoose + 3 Flusterstorm + 2 ReB + 1 Grudge
//Grixis Delver:
//- 4 Daze -1 Force + 1 Golgari Charm+ 2 ReB + 1 Loam + 1 Ashiok
//Hypergenesis:
//-3 Snare - 1 Mongoose -1 Goyf + 2 ReB + 3 Fluster
//MUD:
//-4 Stifle + 1 Ashiok + 1 Grudge + 1 Loam + 1 Fire Covenant
//Pox:
//-4 Force -1 Bolt -1 Daze + 3 Fluster+ 1 Loam + 1 Grudge + 1 Compost
//Tin Fins:
//-2 Decay-2 Goyf -1 Mongoose-1 Bolt+ 3 Fluster+ 2 ReB+1 Nihil
//Stax:
//-2 Bolt - 1 Daze + 1 Grudge + 1 Loam + 1 Golgari Charm
//All Spells:
//-1 Wasteland + 1 Nihil
//Patriot:
//-4 Daze+ 1 Loam + 2 ReB + 1 Ashiok
//Patriot with Stoneforge:
//-4 Daze -1 Force+ 1 Loam + 1 Grudge + 2 ReB + 1 Ashiok
//Patriot with Nemesis and Stoneforge:
//-4 Daze -1 Force+ 1 Loam+ 2 ReB + 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//Turbo Eldrazi
//- 3 Snare - 1 Goyf - 1 Mongoose + 2 ReB + 3 Fluster
//Bant:
//-4 Stifle-1 Force -2 Daze + 3 Submerge+2 Fire+ 1 ReB+ 1 Ashiok
//Bant with Nemesis:
//OtP:-4 Stifle-4 Force - 2 Daze + 3 Submerge+2 Fire+ 2 ReB+ 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//OtD:-4 Stifle-2 Force - 4 Daze + 3 Submerge+2 Fire+ 2 ReB+ 1 Ashiok + 1 Golgari Charm
//No Bant:
//-4 Stifle-3 Daze + 3 Submerge+3 Fluster+ 1 Ashiok
//Zoo:
//- 4 Stifle-1 Daze + 3 Submerge + 1 Nihil + 1 Fire Covenant
//Sliver:
// -4 Stifle -1 Daze + 2 Fire Covenant + 2 ReB + 1 Grudge
Aluren:
// + 2 ReB + 1 Golgari Charm-1 Mongoose - 2 Bolt
The primer has been updated. The midrange beater list was deleted as the new list crushes all metas - no need for special lists for special metas.
Hope you enjoyed the read :-).
