The goblins don't gain a second color they become black creatures there was a ruling about this at GP philly. About silver knight being able to live with it's pro red ability.Quote:
Originally Posted by MoxSlaver
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The goblins don't gain a second color they become black creatures there was a ruling about this at GP philly. About silver knight being able to live with it's pro red ability.Quote:
Originally Posted by MoxSlaver
I think that the correct answer is in the creatures such as Patron or Fledgling Dragon in the monored decks. It would make sense that if you are running white or green to run cards such as Naturalize or Disenchant, because they are answers they themselves cannot be answered without a counterspell, and if they have the counterspell then they will counter any other answer anyways.
What I am trying to say is that you want the least vulnerable answer you can find, which would be the good old instants. Only the UB decks will be able to answer them. But decks like Pikula's or others of any kind will be able to answer cards such as S. Triumph and Gauntlet.
Just my 2 cents.
Roop
Here's an idea, I don't know how much merit it might have or whether it would work, but is there a way with goblins to build in an answer through resource denial. Like stone rain? I know that most land destruction spells cost more then E. Plague, but is there another way to come at it in this direction from using goblins or some other spell or some such?
The reason that I suggested Patron is that it is useful in multiple matchups, not just the Engineered Plague one. I'd much rather have Patron of the Akki against random bad aggro decks (or even random very good ones) than I would Gauntlet of Might. Patron's on the average cheaper (with Goblin Offering, it's going to cost you anywhere from 3 to 5 mana at instant speed), it provides a giant bonus to your creatures in play (those that live long enough), and comes attached to a 5/5 non-Plagueable body.Quote:
The reason these solutions seem a fuckload more suboptimal than Gaunlet is that they all ask What can I do to make up for all the dead cards E. Plague gives me? whereas Gauntlet asks What can I do to make that E. Plague not matter?
Also, unlike Naturalize, it can be proactive. Even without an E. Plague to counter, it gives you the option of dealing an extra 4-5 damage the turn you drop it and just winning. Also unlike Naturalize, it can partially or fully counter a Pyroclasm, Hideous Laughter, Hail Storm, Infest, or Plague Spitter.
Also unlike Naturalize, a playset costs about 350$
Gauntlet's a fine way to get around Engineered Plague, but if I have the option of getting something that handles that problem even 90% as well plus has better utility in other matchups, I've got to take that something.
Out of curiosity, what decks are we talking about here that Goblins even needs a sideboard to beat? And in those matchups, how often am I going to want to board in a non-goblin creature to improve that matchup? This isn't a rhetorical question, but honestly, nothing's coming to mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by kirdape3
As for a comparison to Gauntlet of Might, let's pretend we're talking about a white build running Shared Triumph instead, since it's more cost efficient. Is it really correct to call a card that gives all your Goblins +1/+1 narrow? Couldn't it be said to improve matchups where your opponent has damage-based mass/reusable removal, such as Pyroclasm, Cursed Scroll, and Lightning Rift by making these answers infinitely less effective against you, while at the same time totally nullifying E. Plague? Wouldn't it also be logical to observe that the aforementioned cards are present in decks which are actually difficult matchups for you, as opposed to random bad aggro?
I don't know, I'd be more afraid of a deck like anything in Extended currently, of which all of them take on Goblins pretty well and bend them over, or say Pikula's deck (whose outs to a resolved Patron aren't that many) than I would most of the current format. It's also disgusting in the mirror match, something that you should be boarding for.
Some things I agree with, some I don't. I agree you want to be boarding for the mirror, and I agree Patron gets the nod over Triumph... although to be honest I'm not sure that either would be my choice for mirror tech specifically. I'd prefer something more along the lines of more Sharpshooters, Sparksmiths or even Shard Phoenix for the mirror. But that's neither here nor there. I agree on this point.
As for Deadguy, the deck has fewer outs to Triumph than it does to Patron. Against Patron, it has 4x Vindicate and 4x Swords from the board (under the assumption we're talking about how Pikula said he would build his sideboard today). Against Triumph, the deck only has 4 Vindicates because it doesn't run any Disenchant in the board. Triumph is a direct answer to E. Plague, which is the deck's biggest threat against you. Furthermore, it makes Darkblast suck against you, which is another one of the deck's answers to Goblins. Further still, it makes Shade the only viable chump blocker in the deck if they want to trade with you. Further still, it speeds up your clock against the deck. Finally, at 2cc, it's going to hit the board earlier than Patron ever will, making it less likely to be Hymned or Verdicted out of your hand. One could theoretically argue that it can be Duressed away, but honestly, what competent player is going to keep Duress in for game 2 against Goblins? I think Triumph has the clear advantage in this matchup.
As for Extended matchups, you'd have to be more specific for me to respond, really, but I think most Extended options are overhyped. You've got Ravager Affinity which, despite much argument to the contrary, I feel is barely viable. You've got the Rock which pretty much everyone feels is unviable. You've got RDW and BDW which can steal wins, but aren't exactly real metagame concerns at the moment. You've got Dredge Tog, which no one has presented an optimized list for in this format, and which uses E. Plague as one of its primary leverages to win this match, which brings us back to Patron and Triumph. Against Dredge Tog, I think I'd rather have Triumph because Tog isn't likely to let you live long enough to let Patron do its job. And Patron's arguably harder to sneak under a counterwall.
Anyway, these are just observations based mostly on theory. I'm not saying either is definitely better than the other, but aside from the benefit to the mirror, Patron seems less impressive than Triumph in general.
I think there are a couple of things to consider with regards to patron. First being his lack of synergy with Gobbos. Personally if I'm going to add another creature to my deck, I want that creature to be a goblin of some sort. If I'm in a situation during a game where I need him, I want to be able to get him with matron or ringleader, as opposed to being lucky enough to draw into him during the game. Secondly I have to wonder if he is really all that much better than Pyromancer? Yes, he stays on the board once he resolves, but there is the hitch, resolving him if I've drawn him.
I've been looking over Tom Smart's Rw Goblins from Philly, and I'm leaning more and more towards splashing white. So much so I'm fixing to go and get my play set of Triumph's and rebuild my goblin deck using Smart's as a rough guideline to follow. Like Godzilla, I'm leaning more towards Triumph being the best answer for E. Plague, as well as Truimph adds to the overall strength of the deck if your running a 3 or 4 of. Although I'm still not sold that these are the best answers to be found.
Key notes to this.... People need to fully realize that unless they print, at some point during the rest of Rav Block (I figure that's where something like this would be most likely), a R/W Goblin that has a "<cost>, Sacrifice:" type ability that is a Destroy Target Enchantment effect..... Then there will never be a Goblin answer to E.Plague.Quote:
Originally Posted by MoxSlaver
Also, Is he really that much better than Pyromancer? Perhaps, but they really fill two different niche roles in the deck.... the Patron gives you a fat beater at a potential discount that pumps your attackers every turn and doesn't get smaller with E.Plague naming Goblins. That's really good... Pyromancer is cheaper, gives a bigger attack bonus for an Alpha Strike while speeding up combo matches, and provides a tutorable Wrath in the mirror.. That's really good, too.... However the Pyromancer does nothing against 2x Plague, where the Patron does (despite costing more mana to actually cast him.)
Ultimately it's a trade off, none of the Goblin answers to Plague really work worth a damn, so you have to either find non-Goblin answers (Fledgling Dragon and Patron being probably two of the best, particularly in mono-Red) or answers that come in your splash colors like Triumph, Disenchant/Seal, Naturalize, or Tranq. Domain.
@Corrupted
Okay, I agree with what you say about the differences between Patron and Pyro. And until I get to play with Patron and see how he affects the field, especially underneath E. Plague, I can't for sure say which is better.
For the time being I'm trying out splashing white for Triumph, so far so good although one slight issue...
I have yet to see a deck running black using E. Plague where I play. There are some larger tournies coming up and given the chance to attend them, I'll see what gets played there and how things play out. Or wait until my local scene starts running E. Plague. :)
I've been playing Vial Goblins with a white splash (four Disenchants in my sideboard) for a long time. I wasn't a fan of Patron of the Akki at first, but I have to admit I'm beginning to like the card. For those who are looking for an answer to Engineered Plague for their mono-red Vial Goblins decks, how about Brass Herald? It is expensive, but no more expensive than Patron of the Akki without the Goblin offering. If Goblin Ringleader is arguably the most broken Goblin in Vial Goblins, who wouldn't want four more of them? They can be Vialed out (if you get your Vial to six charge counters), and they have the bonus of nullifying one Engineered Plague for each of them in play. (Thank God Mana Drain is not in the format.)
Brass Herald has the same problem that Goblin King does only moreso: double Plague or Pyroclasm wipes him out, and consequently the rest of your board as soon as his pump effect wears off. At least one King will pump another, so having two Kings in play will nullify double Plague or Pyroclasm.
That's one of the reasons why Shared Triumph is so appealing: the fact that it's not a creature means it's not going to get hit by the hate you're trying to answer.
To be fair, Herald itself doesn't get owned by the Double Plague, only the x/1 Goblins that he is pumping do. Pyroclasm, Infest/Mutilate, and the rest of the 2 dmg or -x/-2 shit will still hit him and wipe your board at the same time, but he does get around the problem of needing 2x Kings to stop Double Plague. He may cost 2 mana more but he's a Shared Triumph attached to a Ringleader. He may be worth atleast a small amount of testing, no?Quote:
Originally Posted by GodzillA
Edit for a little clarity: It's worth a bit of testing, i.m.o, because it can answer the problem of Plague (x/2 goblins will survive unless there is 3 Plagues on the board), even if only while you dig for the win or another answer, while replenishing your hand. Because it's technically a Ringleader, it's not a disadvantage to play one instead of your Ringleader... You neutralize one plague while refilling your hand. That seems kinda good to me.
Edited By CorruptedAngel on 1132576505
If we are finding the need to look to 6 mana artifact creatures wouldn't it be simpler to use an old favorite called coat of arms? Chances are its going to give ur gobbos at least +1/+1 and can be a win condition if nessary.
I don't see how double Plague wipes out Brass Herald. Who in their right mind would name Golem on both Plagues against a Goblin deck?! And what decks pack both Plague and Pyroclasm?Quote:
Originally Posted by GodzillA
Possibly Darth Maul.
:p
My metagame is quite small, most 1.5 tournaments consist of about 8-12 players.
The most prevailent deck is aggro by any means, usually 3-4 Vial Goblins, 2-3 something aggro (usually R/G Beats), 1-2 Survival Advantage/Welder Survival, 1-2 MWC and the rest are usually rogue decks, sucky ones. :) I still haven't seen a single Solidarity deck (nobody has resets), a Landstill or even an Enchantress deck. It requires the deck to adapt to its environment, of course.
My current Vial Goblins decklist is as follows:
Lands:
16 Mountain
4 Wasteland
Spells:
4 Aether Vial
2 Cursed Scroll
Creatures:
4 Goblin Lackey
4 Gempalm Incinerator
4 Goblin Warchief
4 Goblin Ringleader
4 Goblin Matron
4 Goblin Piledriver
4 Mogg Fanatic
3 Goblin Sharpshooter
1 Siege-Gang Commander
1 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
1 Goblin King
Sideboard:
4 Goblin Pyromancer
4 Flaring Pain
4 Pyrostatic Pillar
2 Goblin Vandal
1 Goblin Sharpshooter
Some explanations and thoughts:
Lands:
I have found fetches to be very, VERY annoying in the mirror or with an aggro matchup. It usually depends on those few life points, where it matters. I also have no splash colors. I haven't tried Rishadan Ports yet, but I believe they will twist my colored mana to a bad situation. Maybe they are good, but are they good against aggro?
Cursed Scroll:
Against aggro and mirror. I have found this to be a LOT better than Umezawa's Jitte, especially in the mirror. It can also force damage through in stalls. An extra touch is the fact that it's nice against MBC. :D But I don't know, maybe two Clickslithers would be better?
Goblin Sharpshooter:
Yes, there's three of 'em and one in the SB, but the reason is again the number of other Goblin decks and aggro. Of course, they're sided out against other matchups.
Sideboard:
Goblin Pyromancer:
When your opponent isn't packing a lot of creatures, this will bring 'em hell. It's not impossible to side in a few, even if he is.
Flaring Pain:
This is one I'm not so sure about. It helps against MWC (which is a NIGHTMARE matchup), but its other uses are quite limited in my meta.
Goblin Vandal:
This deck hasn't any answers to artifacts, so this might be it. It's also tutorable.
Pyrostatic Pillar:
Against control. This one is debatable, too.
Any thoughts or ideas to improve my deck? Remember, it's tuned against mirrors and other aggro decks.
You should run ports in the deck they help all your bad match-ups also I wouldn't run vandal run Goblin Tinkerer it is quite better. Also cursed scroll really isn't that good. Against mono white you can play Pithing needle, Anarchy, or flashfire but do not run Flaring pain. Also cut a sharpshooter for 1 main deck Pyromancer. Tutorable wrath seems good.
I hate to say this, but perhaps going back to Goblin Sligh is really the answer. Or at least, make the deck more sligh-ish. I'd say that a good instant finisher is all you need to beat Plague - if Goblins could be relied on dealing sufficient damage before Plague comes down. One of the problems being going second, another one Dark Ritual. None of the current finishers are strong enough to do this to my content.
Shared Fate, Legionnaires, and some finishers would help greatly. Of course, this may well weaken the deck in other matchups. Like Goblins, for instance ... though Legionnaires are great in taking out two attacking Piledrivers. Again, I can't think of a good enough finisher for this to matter, especially against the problem we're trying to solve.
Also, why Disenchant over Seal of Cleansing? Seems to me having to keep mana open is a bit of a problem - which, I just realize, doesn't matter much except against 'still. Forget it then ...
//Edit: Haunting Misery comes to mind, maybe cause its quarter to freakin' four in the Legacy-deprived hole where I live. Still, it would be using Plague as an enabler which is at the very least humiliating. Tog can counter, though. Yet Tog can counter any answer ... 'xcept this has an additional cost so you'd want two at the most. Not mentioning the difficult mana cost.
Hmm. L Death will not help much, though Therapy could be huge. Does nothing against topdecks, though. Damn, tough nut to crack.
//Again, if this is crap, attribute it to the hour.
I tried Survival Goblins once. If you do it (and I advise not to), play at least two Squees and a Genesis (doesn't hurt Squee's a Goblin :) ). This could get Kings and Goons or other Goblin answers (or other creatures like Big Akki) at a fast rate. (But again, weaken other matchups.)
It's too bad Conspiracy isn't cheaper, like 1B. That way Goblin decks could tutor for white creatures like Monk Realist and Reliquary Monk to deal with Engineered Plague. Of course, three colour decks are even more vulnerable to mana denial strategies. (Rishadan Port, Wasteland, etc.)Quote:
Originally Posted by CorruptedAngel