[DTB] Blade Control

Hello everyone

I'm still very new to Legacy but I'm trying to build a UW Blade deck. This is what I currently have assembled:


4x Snapcaster Mage
4x Stoneforge Mystic
4x True-Name Nemesis

4x Brainstorm
4x Ponder
2x Gitaxian Probe

2x Spell Pierce
4x Swords to Plowshares
4x Force of Will

1x Elspeth, Knight-Errant
2x Jace, the Mind Sculptor

1x Detention Sphere

1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Batterskull

4x Flooded Strand
1x Tundra
10x Island
7x Plains


So far I haven't really been occupied with a sideboard. I know most people will go for additional Tundra's but they're out of budget for me. I am planning to get another playset of fetches or a combination to improve Brainstorm. About that, which fetches do you suggest? I'm doubting between Polluted Delta, Scalding Tarn or Misty Rainforest or a combination of those :)

At the moment I feel like I might not be packing enough counters. Maybe I'm using too much draw spells and/or creatures?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redesign1991

Hello everyone

I'm still very new to Legacy but I'm trying to build a UW Blade deck. This is what I currently have assembled:


4x Snapcaster Mage
4x Stoneforge Mystic
4x True-Name Nemesis

4x Brainstorm
4x Ponder
2x Gitaxian Probe

2x Spell Pierce
4x Swords to Plowshares
4x Force of Will

1x Elspeth, Knight-Errant
2x Jace, the Mind Sculptor

1x Detention Sphere

1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Batterskull

4x Flooded Strand
1x Tundra
10x Island
7x Plains


So far I haven't really been occupied with a sideboard. I know most people will go for additional Tundra's but they're out of budget for me. I am planning to get another playset of fetches or a combination to improve Brainstorm. About that, which fetches do you suggest? I'm doubting between Polluted Delta, Scalding Tarn or Misty Rainforest or a combination of those :)

At the moment I feel like I might not be packing enough counters. Maybe I'm using too much draw spells and/or creatures?

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get scalding tarns, these transition into UWr Miracles as well.

@redesign1991: While you have an awkward budget manabase, I would at least try to make the best of it: run maindeck Back to Basics. You could add 2, cutting the probes. B2B is amazing if your manabase can afford to run it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheArchitect

@redesign1991: While you have an awkward budget manabase, I would at least try to make the best of it: run maindeck Back to Basics. You could add 2, cutting the probes. B2B is amazing if your manabase can afford to run it.

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That's because I already went through to effort of buying/trading for a playset of Flooded Strand and a singleton Tundra. Getting 3 more Tundra at the moment isn't possible I'm afraid. And back to basics is a good card :D

Is Detention Sphere a good card MB or would you put it SB?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redesign1991

That's because I already went through to effort of buying/trading for a playset of Flooded Strand and a singleton Tundra. Getting 3 more Tundra at the moment isn't possible I'm afraid. And back to basics is a good card :D

Is Detention Sphere a good card MB or would you put it SB?

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SB.

Hey guys,

This is my first post, so please bear with me. Basically, I've been working on a UW blade control deck for a while and it seems to be working within my local meta but I'm trying to get some extra eyes on the list to see what improvements I can make.

I'll post the list first and then go on to explain the logic behind some of my choices.

Creatures

4x Snapcaster Mage
3x Stoneforge Mystic
3x Vendilion Clique

Equipment
1x Batterskull
1x Umezawa's Jitte

Planeswalkers

4x Jace, The Mindsculptor

Spells
4x Force of Will
2x Manaleak
3x Spell pierce
2x Spell snare
4x Brainstorm
4x Swords to plowshares
1x Path to Exile

Lands

4x Tundra
4x Flooded Strand
2x Misty Rainforest
1x Scalding Tarn
3x Island
1x Plains
4x Wasteland
4x Mishra's Factory
1x Karakas

Sideboard

3x Surgical Extraction
2x True-Name Nemesis
2x Disenchant
3x Meddling Mage
2x Supreme Verdict
1x Pithing Needle
2x Flusterstorm

First off I decided to go with UW over Esper primarily for the ability to play a full playset of wastelands and factory, alongside the ability to play 4 basics. When I played Esper, I found myself getting wastelanded out of quite a few games (Although, that may have been pilot error more than a short coming with the deck). Also, I wanted to see if I could play a much more counter magic focused game.

With that in mind let me discuss some of my choices. First off, I wanted to try to play a playset of Snapcaster Mage. I really like the card and love the card advantage it's able to provide. That said, Deathrite Shaman is a bit of a problem to navigate around. In order to circumvent this, I opted for the 5th piece of spot removal with the Path to Exile. It makes things a little weird with my fplayset of wastelands, so I've also considered a main board Supreme verdict in its place.

Additionally, because I'm playing with 8 colorless lands (and an additional plains and Karakas) I was worried that I wouldn't have the UU for counter spell, or the UUU for Snapcaster-Counterspell. Honestly, there are times when I wouldn't mind a hard counter but overall, manaleak definitely does the job and is almost always unexpected.

Finally, I've opted to put TNN in the side over the main. My overall reasoning for this was that TNN can be such a dead draw against combo match ups whereas clique's ETB at least makes it a semi-useful card regardless of the matchup I'm playing.

Like I said, the list is working pretty well within my local meta but I'm curious to see what improvements you all suggest. Obviously I didn't explain every card choice, but if you have questions feel free to ask and I'll give as best of an explanation as possible. I feel like my list is pretty weak to opposing TNN and my outs to it are to counter it before it hits the field or to race it by countering equipment before they're able to be equipped. I've also considered doing things like going very old school with a Riptide Labratory or two. What do you all think? Where/how can I improve this list?

@Polr13,

-Your manabase needs more blue sources, and probably a second Plains. I would opt out Wastelands altogether if you choose to play Mishra's and play something like B2B in the main or SB... or at least cut down on 2 Wastes for 2 Fetch/Islands.

-You need a 4th SFM, no questions there.

-If you end up cutting Wastelands for blue lands, Counterspell is much better than Mana Leak. If you choose not to, I recommend Miscalculation > Leak.

-Play 1-3 copies of Verdict main or you will roll over to TNN. I would replace Path and Snares in your list with Verdicts and something like a Detention Sphere.

On a different note, is anybody else stoked about Council's Judgement? I will definitely play 1-2 copies main in my UW Blade list. Finally a good catch-all that happens to answer TNN without nuking our own. The card is a godsend...

I'm going to pick up as many as I can up to 4x, but I'm more excited for them in my Miracles list than in here (my LGS won't sell single packs, the owner feels it goes against "the spirit of the set." Seriously? It's a TCG. The spirit is to collect and trade. Whatever, maybe no one will want the stuff I do (Standard players) and I can get it cheap. Who knows, maybe I'll be wrong, but in here I really do prefer Unexpectedly Absent (I proxied up 2x Council's Judgement and played ~10 games with it against Merfolk and against MUD; these matchups seem like solid test lists for permanent/stubborn permanent hate).

Anyone have any new testing list with council's judgement brewed? I was wondering in particular people's thoughts about whether to go straight uw blade or continue using a splash of red for blood moon and pyroblast.

I've been playing Bob again in Death blade. It been the best card in the deck for me since I added it in a couple weeks ago.

I was inspired to build the deck that won a Danish tournament a couple months ago.

Cool, but Deathblade has its own thread. It also has a lower curve that makes it an acceptable choice there. Here, 4 Forces, multiple Verdicts, Jaces, and other high end cmc's abound.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lambert101

Anyone have any new testing list with council's judgement brewed? I was wondering in particular people's thoughts about whether to go straight uw blade or continue using a splash of red for blood moon and pyroblast.

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My thoughts exactly...

I mainly use Pyroblast against SnT and Miracles. I can't use them against any Delver decks because I don't have many red sources. Given that I will be replacing EE with Judgement, I won't be needing Academy Ruins anymore either...

This is just an idea but what about a green splash for a single LftL in the main and maybe some SB KGrips? Not only do you get to Wastelock, but you also get insane synergy with Brainstorm and Jace where you get to reshuffle the lands in your GY in exchange for cards from your library. Not to mention how Dredge and Moorland Haunt have some pretty good synergy as well.

Also, this might sound a little crazy but I can't help but wonder how good Sylvan Library would be in a Blade Control deck? It is much cheaper than a Jace, it doesn't get destroyed by creatures, and it converts Lifelink and Jitte counters into additional cards.

I was playing around with the following configuration:

4 True Name-Nemesis
4 Stoneforge Mystic
2 Snapcaster Mage

4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
2 Counterspell
3 Spell Pierce

3 Jace the Mindsculptor
2 Council's Judgement
1 Batterskull
1 Jitte
2 Supreme Verdict

4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Arid Mesa
4 Islans
3 Plains
3 Tundra
4 Mishara's Factory

Sideboard:
2 Flusterstorm
3 Rest in Peace
1 Supreme Verdict
2 Pithing Needle
2 Disenchant
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
4 Meddling Mage (weakest slot in my opinion)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Secretly.A.Bee

Cool, but Deathblade has its own thread. It also has a lower curve that makes it an acceptable choice there. Here, 4 Forces, multiple Verdicts, Jaces, and other high end cmc's abound.

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Ooops! mb, thanks for the redirect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lambert101

I was playing around with the following configuration:

4 True Name-Nemesis
4 Stoneforge Mystic
2 Snapcaster Mage

4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
2 Counterspell
3 Spell Pierce

3 Jace the Mindsculptor
2 Council's Judgement
1 Batterskull
1 Jitte
2 Supreme Verdict

4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Arid Mesa
4 Islans
3 Plains
3 Tundra
4 Mishara's Factory

Sideboard:
2 Flusterstorm
3 Rest in Peace
1 Supreme Verdict
2 Pithing Needle
2 Disenchant
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
4 Meddling Mage (weakest slot in my opinion)

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How about swapping the 2 tarns for 2 wasteland? IMO,meddling mage was never a weak slot in a UW sb. Actually,it's just one of the best for me.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Qweerios

My thoughts exactly...

I mainly use Pyroblast against SnT and Miracles. I can't use them against any Delver decks because I don't have many red sources. Given that I will be replacing EE with Judgement, I won't be needing Academy Ruins anymore either...

This is just an idea but what about a green splash for a single LftL in the main and maybe some SB KGrips? Not only do you get to Wastelock, but you also get insane synergy with Brainstorm and Jace where you get to reshuffle the lands in your GY in exchange for cards from your library. Not to mention how Dredge and Moorland Haunt have some pretty good synergy as well.

Also, this might sound a little crazy but I can't help but wonder how good Sylvan Library would be in a Blade Control deck? It is much cheaper than a Jace, it doesn't get destroyed by creatures, and it converts Lifelink and Jitte counters into additional cards.

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I like it, however at what point would you rather be playing like bant? Also if you are going to play Loam, I'd keep EE and Academy Ruins. I think the issue becomes that you dont want to tap out for Loam with counter magic available.

Hi guys

I'm fairly new to Legacy and I've been trying to build a budget UW list. I'm almost finished, so I'd like to post what I've got so far. Right now I have 58 out of 60 cards. I'm thinking about adding 2 Back to Basics to complete the main board. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing improvements from everyone, but keep budget in mind. I've already spent a lot of money the last month on getting the snaps, tnn, jace, fows and fetches. So for now I won't be spending money on additional jaces, cliques, fetches since I really can't afford it anymore at the moment. However stuff like Meddling Mage, Spell Pierce, Engineered Exploses, B2B etc are still an option for me to finish the MD and SD to have something playable for the moment. Overtime I'll probably get those additional jaces, fetches etc.


3 Snapcaster Mage
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 True-Name Nemesis

2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

2 Spell Snare
2 Spell Pierce
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Force of Will

1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull

1 Tundra
3 Scalding Tarn
4 Flooded Strand
4 Plains
10 Island


I don't really have a clear sideboard in mind yet, but here are some cards I own that I can put side or main:


2 Meddling Mage
2 Supreme Verdict
1 Snapcaster Mage
1 Detention Sphere
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Feast and Famine

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redesign1991

Hi guys

I'm fairly new to Legacy and I've been trying to build a budget UW list. I'm almost finished, so I'd like to post what I've got so far. Right now I have 58 out of 60 cards. I'm thinking about adding 2 Back to Basics to complete the main board. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing improvements from everyone, but keep budget in mind. I've already spent a lot of money the last month on getting the snaps, tnn, jace, fows and fetches. So for now I won't be spending money on additional jaces, cliques, fetches since I really can't afford it anymore at the moment. However stuff like Meddling Mage, Spell Pierce, Engineered Exploses, B2B etc are still an option for me to finish the MD and SD to have something playable for the moment. Overtime I'll probably get those additional jaces, fetches etc.


3 Snapcaster Mage
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 True-Name Nemesis

2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

2 Spell Snare
2 Spell Pierce
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Force of Will

1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull

1 Tundra
3 Scalding Tarn
4 Flooded Strand
4 Plains
10 Island


I don't really have a clear sideboard in mind yet, but here are some cards I own that I can put side or main:


2 Meddling Mage
2 Supreme Verdict
1 Snapcaster Mage
1 Detention Sphere
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Feast and Famine

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The list looks like a solid starting base. I would move 2 Supreme Verdicts to the main and add one copy of Enlightened tutor to the board along with one back to basics one rest and peace and 2 surgical extractions. One copy of Path to Exile would also come in handy in the sideboard, since your list looks a little soft to fast tempo oppenings (i.e. turn 1 Delver + multiple pieces of countermagic).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redesign1991

Hi guys

I'm fairly new to Legacy and I've been trying to build a budget UW list. I'm almost finished, so I'd like to post what I've got so far. Right now I have 58 out of 60 cards. I'm thinking about adding 2 Back to Basics to complete the main board. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing improvements from everyone, but keep budget in mind. I've already spent a lot of money the last month on getting the snaps, tnn, jace, fows and fetches. So for now I won't be spending money on additional jaces, cliques, fetches since I really can't afford it anymore at the moment. However stuff like Meddling Mage, Spell Pierce, Engineered Exploses, B2B etc are still an option for me to finish the MD and SD to have something playable for the moment. Overtime I'll probably get those additional jaces, fetches etc.


3 Snapcaster Mage
4 Stoneforge Mystic
4 True-Name Nemesis

2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

2 Spell Snare
2 Spell Pierce
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Force of Will

1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull

1 Tundra
3 Scalding Tarn
4 Flooded Strand
4 Plains
10 Island


I don't really have a clear sideboard in mind yet, but here are some cards I own that I can put side or main:


2 Meddling Mage
2 Supreme Verdict
1 Snapcaster Mage
1 Detention Sphere
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Feast and Famine

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If you can still manage to buy some more cards,I'd suggest mishra's factory. Maybe 3 copies will do. If you plan to have engineered explosives main,I'd like to see an academy ruins in the main. Also,moorland haunt. That card is just too good not to play in a UW list. I also agree with moving the 2 supreme verdicts in the main.


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And I agree with and support every last one of those suggestions. Also, that's like only 20 dollars more.

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