[Primer/Deck] Nic Fit

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Originally Posted by sdematt

Fair, but he's the nutters against Miracles and Combo, so you have to balance that out.

Why Sakura Tribe Elder, besides being a badass? Is it your backup in case Vet doesn't go off?

-Matt

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Sakura has a lot of random small utilities that add up to being an all-star. He's a 5th ramp guy, he blocks Batterskull like a champ, and he has very strong synergies with Meren and Nightmare (even if he isn't getting lands at that point in the game). The biggest reason, though, is that I tried running without him in a white list that was otherwise perfectly positioned for a couple months, and I had enough mana problems that I put him back in afterwards and never looked back. Since I run my lists a little top-heavier than most, I really like having the 5th ramp creature -- it smooths things out quite nicely in my experience.

I just don't think I have the slots to put him in the game. I'm running more removal than you are, so I can't seem to squeeze in Baneslayers, Nightmare, or the Tribe Elder. I'll keep moving stuff around and seeing what happens, though.

-Matt

@ Arianrhod: Nice write-up. I didn't make it down to Mythic, but I would have loved to tinker with your list.
I think the 2 drop you're looking for may be Shriekmaw. He provides removal, which combos with Meren of Clan Nel Toth, while also being a big stupid thing later in the game.

@List: Personally, I would run a lot more fetch lands. Kruphix only gets better with them (both in "seeing more of the deck" and playing more physical lands). They also work better with DRS. I've experimented into Nic Fit and found DRS to be okay. I would run 8 fetches with 2 DRS/2 Courser in the mix.

I also find Sensei's Top to be perfect for my playstyle over Library for Nic Fit. I understand the raw value of Library, but find SDT to be stronger, especially when Deed in on board. Less collateral from Deed @2.

Sun Titan is a tough call. He's strong af. But you also need to be playing the right opponents/archetypes all day. I like this list (several months old) for what BGw Nic Fit can accomplish - http://tcdecks.net/deck.php?id=17576&iddeck=132268. Meleren obviously being a better call than some of the inclusions Vidranski had access to. Ignore the SB, as that's its own discussion. I picture the shell of BGw Nic Fit as: Explorer, Therapy, Deed, Top, Zenith, Decay, [swords or path], handful of bombs.

But Top is card selection, not card draw. Typically, in games with Library, you draw an extra 3-5 cards. That's not chump change.

-Matt

Sun Titan is a tough call. He's strong af. But you also need to be playing the right opponents/archetypes all day. I like this list (several months old) for what BGw Nic Fit can accomplish - http://tcdecks.net/deck.php?id=17576&iddeck=132268. Meleren obviously being a better call than some of the inclusions Vidranski had access to. Ignore the SB, as that's its own discussion. I picture the shell of BGw Nic Fit as: Explorer, Therapy, Deed, Top, Zenith, Decay, [swords or path], handful of bombs.[/QUOTE]


Hey, that's me! Haha! :D

Had a great fun time playing that version. And sideboard was built right before the event, aka hangover sideboard building. :D

@arianrhod I think the 2 drops selection at this point fror you comes down entirely to playstyle. Your build is a more traditional large evaisive hard to answer threats that ignore your opponent and grind. Currently your zeniths are dead in almost all combo matches teeg doesn't fit your play style and scooze can do work vs storm seems best case senario.

Scooze can also win Goyf wars, DRS wars, and against Snapcaster he's great. I really want to run 2, but again, no fucking slots. Bastard deck construction.

-Matt

Tell me about it i can't find room for witness, courser and geist i have to pick one. I don't want to cut a rhino and my flexs spots are currently filled with f charm g charm and mentor. My play style and deck construction skews me more towards a "big maverick/rock" style with a much lower top end then the rest of the nic fitters.

So far I've decided I'm cutting a Courser for a Pulse. I thought long and hard about cutting the 2nd, but decided to leave it for now.

At the moment I'm reconsidering Sun Titan, which is VERY hard for me to do because I have a perpetual love affair with that card. There is literally nothing more I love to do in magic than Titan+Deeding people. In any format. With the new printings of Nissa and Meren, though, I'm being forced to actually considering cutting Sunny T for the first time basically ever :-(

I'll keep everyone posted as I tune up the last couple slots.

Just wondering if it is really necessary to include sakura tribe elder bc of meren. I played with her on cockatrice and just taking a creature back from the graveyard to your hand seemed really strong. In my mind it's like that: For her to actually reanimate 3 cmc+ stuff end of turn she needs to be in play a lot longer than you can reasonably expect so you can call it a "win more" thing.
(Also i think tribe elder is really bad. The pridemage for reclamation sage in abzan i can understand which i still find kinda clunky - as a fuel for the meren counters -)
Wouldn't a undying/persist combo (strangleroot geist, the black 1 cmc dude with landfall or kitchen finks) with phyrexian tower or similar be more selfsufficient without meren and very strong with her?


Opinions?

I repeat - Eternal Witness and Diabolic Intent. Or Eternal Witness and Phyrexian Tower.

Ticks up the experience counters and lets you generate some nice CA.

Yeah, that seems good but it's very conditional (meren on the board, witness and intent in hand and no disruption on the other side of the table. also there needs to be stuff in your graveyard too besides some fetches and a explorer).
In my mind it's like goblin guide for burn players: If you attack (take back a creature) two rounds with it you usually win. Saying: I expect meren to be on the board or able to use her ability for 2 rounds on average. For me the reanimation part isn't really a goal (more like an ultimate on a utility planeswalker).

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Originally Posted by Dadadot

Yeah, that seems good but it's very conditional (meren on the board, witness and intent in hand and no disruption on the other side of the table).
In my mind it's like goblin guide for burn players: If you attack (take back a creature) two rounds with it you usually win. Saying: I expect meren to be on the board or able to use her ability for 2 rounds on average. For me the reanimation part isn't really a goal (more like an ultimate on a utility planeswalker).

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Witness and Intent don't have to be in the yard. Intent can be in your GY for all you care, Witness can be GSZ'd or also in your yard. Just wait with dropping/GSZ'ing Meren until you hit the late game and then just grind out the value. Heck, if need be you can Intent Meren to tutor up Eternal Witness and start the engine from there.

You can also up the count of Intents in the deck to 2 or even 3. Conditionality can be fixed to a degree, be creative.

Hello Kevin,

Thanks for such detailed report and congratz for the overall result.

Here are some food for thoughts while doing your homeworks (aka: improving your list):


1) I agree with a former post in that I believe your mana base could be reworked:

Actually, you are @ 15 green sources, 12 black and white sources.
With something like below, you could even improve the numbers to 16 green, 14 black and 13 white sources.
If you really want to keep your phyrexian tower, I believe you could go -1 Windswept heath +1 Phyrexian.

As aforementioned, playing Top + Courser + Sylvan is asking for having as much as library manipulations as possible.

Furthermore, 13/14 black sources is, IMHO, mandatory when looking at sideboard options.

2 Plains
3 Forest
2 Swamp
4 Verdant catacombs
4 Windswept heath
3 Bayou
1 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Karakas
1 Taiga


2) As much as Nissa and Sun Titan look appealing, I think you are getting cute.

I won't deny the sheer power of both but while looking at legacy scene right now; I don't think you need them in our 75/76.
- Nissa won't provide any effect until you reach 7 lands (save the CIP trigger).
- If you get to resolve a Sun Titan, I think, you are already in a very good shape to take over the game. So basically, it appears more as a "win-more" option than anything else.

* We have debated several times about Savenging Ooze and I'm still encouraging its inclusion. That card should really be in any Nic Fit list (75/76) as its utility is unique among the whole legacy card pool. This little bastard has won me more games in the long run than any other Nic Fit bombs.

** For combo matchups, I think we need a 1-of "cheap" beater or we are just bound to be a hatebear deck G2 & G3.
I share your feeling about Tarmo and looking at a lot of abzan list, we deserve a better option:
As a matter of fact, Knight of the Reliquary might be the tool we are looking for:
- It can grow fast
- It doubles up the S&T hate when you have access to Karakas / It can get your utility lands.


3) Drawing cards

Sylvan Library is a fantastic card but you might want to test your list replacing it with Painful Truth because:
- I believe you already have enough library manipulation with 3 Tops
- It could stand in the way of Pernicious Deed
- It is another "slow" engine

I think we could argue for hours and Sylvan Library might be the best choice in a vacuum and I know you worship flexibility above everything so that you might end up playing "abzan charm" instead.

Anyway, drawing 3 cards for 3 mana & life is a hell of a deal.
During testing, I found that this very card has mitigated those kind of opening 7: "4 lands + 3 business spells" where you keep drawing lands during the first two or three turns.

Nevertheless, in order to reach a significant impact, I wouldn't play less than 2 (considering that 3 might be the optimal number but not in this list).


4) Here is the revamped list:

2 Plains
3 Forest
2 Swamp
4 Verdant catacombs
4 Windswept heath
3 Bayou
1 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Karakas
1 Taiga


4 Veteran explorer
2 Deathrite Shaman
1 Sakura tribe elder
1 Pridemage Qasali
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Courser of Kruphix
1 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Eternal Witness
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
3 Siege Rhino
2 Baneslayer
1 Sigarda


3 Pernicious Deed
1 Recurring Nightmare

2 Abrupt Decay

1 Maelstrom Pulse
2 Painful Truths
4 Cabal therapy
4 Green Sun Zenith

3 Sensei's divining top


SB: 2 Ethersworn canonist
SB: 2 Aven Mindcensor
SB: 1 Golgari charm
SB: 3 Slaughter games
SB: 2 Thoughtseize
SB: 1 Engineered Plague
SB: 1 Krosan Grip
SB: 1 Vindicate / Abrupt decay / Toxic Deluge
SB: 2 Liliana of the Veil


* Tsunami is too narrow to my taste
** I don't think we should pass on Liliana. This card has a very wide application and can trump a lot of control/combo MU.

I get what you are saying. She wins games late especially with the right cards.
What I am sayin is she doesn't need to bring creatures back to battlefield to be strong.
As people above mentioned it's very hard to change the list if you already have a tight build. Most people are probably willing to change 1 or two cards or maybe more if they want to throw out one specific strategy.
I'm looking for opinions on slight changes to the different nic fit build including meren. I don't want to go overboard.

I was playing a slightly modified version of arianrhod's list against deathblade and I was using a Painful Truths instead of Meren due to her not being online yet. The card felt really good and was critical in helping to out-grind big Jace. I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on the card going forward. That extra card means way more than I thought it did when compared to Night's Whisper.

Does anyone have experience with the Lands matchup? What is safe to take out of the deck? How do you usually sideboard? I'm on Rhino Fit right now.

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Originally Posted by gth842s

Does anyone have experience with the Lands matchup? What is safe to take out of the deck? How do you usually sideboard? I'm on Rhino Fit right now.

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My sideboard has 3 surgicals, so I bring those in. I trim a cabal therapy, because I still like to some to set off vet ex. I also cut a gaddock teeg, because he does basically nothing, and 1 abrupt decay (3 deed, 2 decay, 3 path to exile left in the main).

Path to exile may not seem good, but I have found it to be necssary to buy time if they make a quick lage.

The combo version is harder to beat than the control version.

You can put armageddon in your board (which also doubles as miracles hate) If you are really worried about the matchup.

For lands, you want your hexproof creatures to beat Maze, and Rhino loops mean you don't need to use the combat step (also getting around Maze). Path helps to beat the 20/20/slows them down enough.

It's not the best matchup, and combo is definitely worse than control. Decay is slightly bad, Deed can be better since you can wipe all the Moxen/Explorations/etc. out. Needle out of the board is very good, and that's why I also play it.

Also, my thoughts on this list:

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2 Plains
3 Forest
2 Swamp
4 Verdant catacombs
4 Windswept heath
3 Bayou
1 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Karakas
1 Taiga


4 Veteran explorer
2 Deathrite Shaman
1 Sakura tribe elder
1 Pridemage Qasali
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Courser of Kruphix
1 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Eternal Witness
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
3 Siege Rhino
2 Baneslayer
1 Sigarda


3 Pernicious Deed
1 Recurring Nightmare

2 Abrupt Decay

1 Maelstrom Pulse
2 Painful Truths
4 Cabal therapy
4 Green Sun Zenith

3 Sensei's divining top


SB: 2 Ethersworn canonist
SB: 2 Aven Mindcensor
SB: 1 Golgari charm
SB: 3 Slaughter games
SB: 2 Thoughtseize
SB: 1 Engineered Plague
SB: 1 Krosan Grip
SB: 1 Vindicate / Abrupt decay / Toxic Deluge
SB: 2 Liliana of the Veil

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I don't think this is too shabby, but there may be an underestimation of playing more removal. Seems like I'm on more removal than most, but otherwise, I agree with this potential setup (sideboard notwithstanding). Truths is very good. Play the card, please.

@Matt: The list I have provided is not tested...at all. And I tried to keep Kevin's spirit in it at all cost.

Just a very rough idea of some tuning Kevin might want to explore. By no means am I saying that this is the list to play.

My list has been posted a few pages back as I like having more games against combo MD.
But I am not closed to any ideas/lists focused on beating fair deck G1 and bringing a lot of hate postboard to fight back against combo decks.

Kevin might be right with the path he tooks (just watch Lejay's take on shardless)

The more competitive any list can be the happier I am.

Ps: kicking ass with Baneslayer looks sexy !!

I got on the painful truths plan as soon as the card came out. That card should in the list somewhere. I would up the removal but from my history with this thread some ppl just prefer to jam bombs instead so I can at least understand the argument for less removal if you are just planning to go over the top.

So... I jumped the gun and cracked on turning my Timmy Nic Fit build into a regular Nic Fit list. I was thinking of running the following 60/75:

Main:
4 Veteran Explorer
3 Deathrite Shaman
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Eternal Witness
1 Courser of Kruphix
1 Fierce Empath
3 Siege Rhino
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
1 Thragtusk
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
1 Dragonlord Dromoka
1 Karador, Ghost Chieftain

4 Cabal Therapy
4 Path to Exile
3 Pernicious Deed

4 Green Sun’s Zenith
2 Diabolic Intent
2 Painful Truths

4 Verdant Catacombs
4 Windswept Heath
2 Marsh Flats
3 Forest
2 Swamp
2 Plains
1 Bayou
1 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Phyrexian Tower
1 Dryad Arbor

SB:
3 Duress
1 Qasali Pridemage
3 Carpet of Flowers
1 Gaddock Teeg
2 Surgical Extraction
2 Golgari Charm
2 Pithing Needle
1 Rest in Peace


Now, I know - where's the SDT & Sylvan Library? Well, I did just come from a list that ran 3 GSZ, 2 Fierce Empath and 4(!) Diabolic Intent as fixers-of-shit. And that worked quite well. And now with 4 GSZ, 2 Diabolic Intent and 1 Fierce Empath as engine starters (and 2 Painful Truth for some digging power) for Courser, Meren and Karador (which, believe me, is nuts in the lategame. You're always sure to get at least 1 creature back before Karador hits the bin.) as CA engines I'm tempted to try a list without SDT & Library. Why durdle with enchantments/artifact when you can use stuff that also smashes face?

So... Any comments/tips..?

On a side note, an additional reason for me to keep playing Fierce Empath is the surprise factor. When GSZ'ing for X=5 or even 6, opponents are pretty sure to counter that when they can. Use Empath to tutor up Dromoka and just hardcast the bugger so you can utilize its "Can't be countered" clause.

And a second note: I really wanted to run a Tasigur in here somewhere as well (it's a CA engine/mana sink with a Rhino body that can be GSZ'd via Empath) but haven't the foggiest what to take out for it. And the list is heavy enough on legendaries as it is.

Echelon, I've always wanted to try karador, but never had the guts :) if only he had lifelink or something..

With diabolic intent I feel like you should versatile your answers a bit, no use having 4 path to exile when a counterbalance and top or a jace are staring at you. I'd cut 2 path, one for a decay and one for a vindicate/council's judgment/maelstrom pulse.

I'd cut one DRS for your tasigur, 4 shaman and 3 Drs is a lot. That said, when running eternal witness Meren and karador what are you exiling from your graveyard to cast tasigur? You're not playing can trips and you want to get back your removal spells and creatures... But for testing, yea I'd cut one DRS

I'd probably also try cutting another DRS for a Sakura tribe elder and see how that is because
a) the ramp is permanent (doesn't get deeded away like Drs does
b) it synergises really well with Meren and karador
c) you can still have a drs as part of the tool box for early ramp and GY hate

I'd also be tempted to cut a fetch for a volrath's stronghold, card does work.

And finally I'd also switch out the carpet of flowers for 2 ethersworn canonist and another card advantage card for the fair matchups.. Another painful truths or a walker or something.

My two pennies

Thank you for those beautiful pennies :smile:.

Yeah, the delve part of Tasigur combined with Witness/Meren/Karador is one of the reasons I hadn't put him in the initial build.

I agree with you on the diversification of removal bit - it's not that I have Elesh Norn/Emrakul/Griselbrand/Iona to fall back on anymore. You'd be surprised what those beasts let you get away with [insert awesome anecdotes].

Fetches, I'm not cutting. On account of initial manasources and all that. I'm at 15/14/14 for green/black/white respectively and would like to keep it that way. Losing games to color screw sucks the big one. If a land were to be replaced, it'd be the third basic Forest.

Concerning DRS/Sakura-Tribe Elder: One doesn't really play DRS for the ramping effect. When you get to use DRS for that effect, it's mostly just a bonus. Most often it's a nice lightning rod that attracts spotremoval that would otherwise threaten your bigger creatures. I get the Sakura-Tribe Elder bit, but I don't care all that much about the experience counters bit on Meren and after a single Vet/GSZ->Vet you'll have plenty of mana anyways. Vet does just as well in combat as the Tribe Elder - it's just there to die (yes, I know, cornercases with Jitte/Batterskull and whatnot). I'd rather save the mana to potentially cast something else.

On Meren/Karador in general: The entire reason those things are so great is that they give you extra cards to work with. Yes, it would be awesome if Meren'd return creatures directly to the battlefield, but it isn't a necessity. The fact that you get to pick up extra cards to cast again means you're pulling ahead anyway. Having creatures returned immediately to the battlefield absolutely is a wonderful thing, but not a goal to work towards. It's great when you get it to work, but regardless of whether it works or not you're pulling ahead of your opponent. Please don't forget that.

As far as the SB is concerned, you might have a good point there. Although, for the combo MU I do like to take out a couple of Vets since it isn't a great idea to give TES/ANT 2 free extra mana.

Oh hey, I love Meren, I'm already on that gravy train :)

Been trying GBW Stoneforge lists, GBW value lists, GBW go big (inspired by yours), GB planeswalkers (guys Ob Nixilis is strong and Garruk Wildspeaker is very under-appreciated) all with Meren.

Still not sure where I want to land.

Edit: my sideboard usually ends up like this
1 Rec Sage
1 over the top threat
2 surgical extraction
1 gaddock teeg
2 ethersworn canonist
2 Thoughtsieze
4 hymn to Tourach
2 golgari charm

Basically should be irrelevant if your combo opponent has extra mana they other won't have cards in hand, won't have the right cards in their deck or won't be able to cast more than one a turn

Double edit: Meren brought back a dragon lord dromoka that collided with a balefulstrix in testing against shardless today. Insanity.

So I have a few questions, haven't touched this deck for a couple months. I used to play a BUG version but I want to try something else, I've never liked the way blue takes over the deck by demanding a certain number of blue cards for FoW, and then having most of the good blue cards not being green which hurts GSZ and requiring double blue which really hurts the mana.

I've been looking at Arianrhod's list a couple pages back and I really like a lot of the things the list is doing but I have a few questions. I'm used to playing Pod and finding whatever I want whenever I want. I see that Baneslayer Angel is been the top end there. Is it really ok to have the biggest meanest thing in the deck not be a GSZ target?

Another question I have is in 2 drops. Why doesn't Voice of Resurgence make the cut? It seems like a great GSZ target, it's a powerful utility creature, and it synergizes well with reanimation and sacrifice.

Last, what have people thought of Nissa? Is she really great in the deck? I guess my main thought here is that I really like the Courser/Library/Top interaction and it feels to me like Nissa is taking away from an extra Courser, or is 2 Coursers all you really need? I suppose the same argument is true for Eternal Witness where I would rather get the higher quality 2 for 1 in exchange for not having the PW card advantage if it flips. Am I crazy to think this?

Your biggest threat is Sigarda, but I think with enough draw, having one top end off colour is alright. I'm not a huge fan, but he enjoys it, so fair enough.

I don't particularly like Nissa. I do love me some Eternal Witness, though.

-Matt

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Originally Posted by sdematt

Your biggest threat is Sigarda, but I think with enough draw, having one top end off colour is alright. I'm not a huge fan, but he enjoys it, so fair enough.

I don't particularly like Nissa. I do love me some Eternal Witness, though.

-Matt

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I would rather play ajani mentor over baneslayer but I'm just that guy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brael

Another question I have is in 2 drops. Why doesn't Voice of Resurgence make the cut? It seems like a great GSZ target, it's a powerful utility creature, and it synergizes well with reanimation and sacrifice.

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Well... Scavenging Ooze is a thing. And being able to eat someone's graveyard can be incredibly important. Be it vs. Goyf.deck or various combo MU's. Ooze also lets you gain life, which is a big plus, and can become incredibly strong in the lategame (which you plan to play).

Scooze is so good I want to play 2 in almost every deck I have him in, be it Maverick, Junk, or Nic Fit. He's amazing.

-Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Echelon

Well... Scavenging Ooze is a thing. And being able to eat someone's graveyard can be incredibly important. Be it vs. Goyf.deck or various combo MU's. Ooze also lets you gain life, which is a big plus, and can become incredibly strong in the lategame (which you plan to play).

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Looking at more lists it mainly seems to be an issue of the curve. In BUG lists you're usually running 10 2 drops with 4-5 of those being creatures. In junk I'm seeing fewer 2 drops.

Fewer two drops being Siege Rhino took up many of the smaller slots. Sometimes, you can solve a problem with a 4/5 trampling Lightning Helix. Or four of them.

-Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sdematt

Fewer two drops being Siege Rhino took up many of the smaller slots. Sometimes, you can solve a problem with a 4/5 trampling Lightning Helix. Or four of them.

-Matt

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Well, let me give an example here's my creature curve in BUG:
4 Veteran Explorer
4 Baleful Strix
1 Eternal Witness
1 Vendilion Clique
1 Trinket Mage
1 Sower of Temptation
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Notion Thief
1 Shriekmaw
1 Thragtusk
1 Frost Titan

1 - 4
2 - 4
3 - 3
4 - 3
5 - 2
6 - 1

Compared to what I'm looking at in Junk right now, though it's currently at 19 creatures so I probably need to find a cut (likely the Voice) unless I go with the 61 card plan.-
4 Veteran Explorer
2 Deathrite Shaman
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Voice of Resurgence
1 Eternal Witness
2 Courser of Kruphix
4 Siege Rhino
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
1 Baneslayer Angel

I've noticed the curve in Junk seems to be a bit less important. You're hoping to ramp from 1 to 3 or 4 so there's less of a need for 2 drops in the first place. BUG on the other hand (atleast the Pod builds) needed more 2 drops because the 2-3 pod is your most important jump. I may just drop the Voice and go with a second Eternal Witness anyways, I've never actually used Voice in Legacy so I don't know how good it is. It has always been solid in Modern though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ricardio

I would rather play ajani mentor over baneslayer but I'm just that guy.

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I'd probably run Baneslayers if I had to pick. Absolutely demolish delver decks if they stay on the table. But if we're talking Christmasland, why not Archangel of Thune + Spike Feeder?

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Originally Posted by Warden

I'd probably run Baneslayers if I had to pick. Absolutely demolish delver decks if they stay on the table. But if we're talking Christmasland, why not Archangel of Thune + Spike Feeder?

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Ouch. I'm saying the ajani doesn't get swords'so and is less white intensive. I understand it is strong. I have played ajani and he is a threat for certain. He turns Drs into 4/5 or draws you more threats. That's just my perogative. I do not think its christmasland and I disagree with playing arch feeder combo.

Here's what I'm thinking right now, it's 61 cards. Does this seem ok or is the land count too low? I've never had a problem with 21 in BUG builds, but those have Strix and Brainstorm to smooth things out.

Land 21
4 Verdant Catacombs
3 Windswept Heath
3 Marsh Flats
2 Forest
2 Swamp
2 Plains
2 Bayou
1 Savannah
1 Scrubland
1 Phyrexian Tower


Creatures 19
4 Veteran Explorer
2 Deathrite Shaman
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Voice of Resurgence
1 Eternal Witness
2 Courser of Kruphix
4 Siege Rhino
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons
1 Baneslayer Angel


Spells 13
4 Cabal Therapy
4 Green Sun's Zenith
2 Abrupt Decay
1 Diabolic Intent
1 Toxic Deluge
1 Painful Truths


Enchantment 5
2 Pernicious Deed
2 Sylvan Library
1 Recurring Nightmare


Artifact 3
3 Sensei's Divining Top

I run 22 lands in 61 and it's generally perfect.

-Matt

Hello everyone, this is my first forum post and I hope it isn't too long. I've been an avid death'n'taxes and maverick player for the past couple years, and with a recent move to San Francisco I have decided to pick up / brew a new deck. After exploring the benefits of veteran explorer and doing my fair share of research on the deck, I decided to sleeve up a 15card proxy run-of-the mill bg nic-fit deck and see what it was capable of. I loved it, and in turn have decided to experiment with it.

*notes*
my local meta consists of about 16-20 usuals with a handful of new faces every week. there is an even distribution of fair decks with a large portion of delver players. This one guy plays tin fins and wrecks face every week. There is a 15 card proxy so testing things like tabernacle won't be an issue.

*I present to you: Nine Bullets*

LANDS

4 Windswept Heath
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Marsh Flats
2 Bayou
2 Scrubland
1 Savannah
1 Phyrexian Tower
1 Dryad Arbor
2 Forest
2 Plains
2 Swamp

Meat and Potatoes

4 Living Wish
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Abrupt Decay
4 Cabal Therapy

Gravy

3 Pernicious Deed
3 Veteran Explorer
2 Deathrite Shaman
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Elspeth, Knight Errant

The Nine

1 Vexing Shusher
1 Shriekmaw
1 Meren of Clan Nel Toth
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Eternal Witness
1 Sigarda Host of Herons
1 Acidic Slime
1 Gaddock Teeg

The Sideboard
9 more silver bullets to be built in the future
4 (playset) tech vs my worst matchups
1 Karakas
1 Bojuka Bog

Despite being cuter than a baby goat my first Nic-Fit adaptation has taught me quite a lot about what I need, what I want, and what I deserve.
*Nine mainboard dedicated bullets is a bit much with 4 living wish to go grab 9 other bullets, most of which are mainboard.
*Id like to cut the mainboard bullets for more card advantage. Which this deck is seriously lacking. perhaps along the lines of graveyard recursion with meren, lil' value dudes, and reccuring nightmare. I could also look to Captain Sisay, as I've played her in maverick and she was a surprisingly amazing engine (albeit it was paired with mother of runes and didnt have to worry about its targets being deeded)
Nonetheless the wide array of narrow answers really isnt doing it when someone hymn's you then counters your zenith only to leave me drawing nothing of potential long term value.
I got back shriekmaw with meren in one game and it was pretty satisfying. Although I came to realize my graveyard is a pretty cold zone in this version of Nic Fit with meren being the only real recursion engine. :(

Cards I loved
Vexing Shusher was stupidly impressive during my blue match-ups, and while susceptible to removal, really helps me get a foot in the door versus counter heavy decks.
Chalice of the Void helps me with the dreaded combo match-ups. I truly enjoy this card, but I am also open to suggestions on better alternatives.

Cards I think should go
Elspeth Knight Errant seems lackluster compared to the gw adjani. Better buffs usually and more card-advantage. I think I'll swap them.


If you guys have any suggestions about the faults or strengths of the deck let me know what y'all think. I believe I addressed many of the weak points of the deck, however if anything else stands out to you please let me know. This thread has helped me out more than you can imagine, and I'd like to contribute more.
by the way sdematt I love what you have to say.

I appreciate innovation but chalice in a nic fit deck is a certified nonbo. This would be another kind of deck altogether. Not to mention. Without sol lands, no t1 chalice dreams can be made unless you t1 tower esg exile vet but that is next level.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ricardio

I appreciate innovation but chalice in a nic fit deck is a certified nonbo. This would be another kind of deck altogether. Not to mention. Without sol lands, no t1 chalice dreams can be made unless you t1 tower esg exile vet but that is next level.

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I've used Chalice in BUG builds where it's been solid as a Trinket Mage option, not for anti combo but just as a disruption piece, at 1 or 2 even on turn 3 or 4 it really disrupts a lot of decks, while missing most of what's in this one. I would never run 4 in a deck like this though, it just cuts way too much into your tutor package.