Hello all,
Before the deck list or anything else, I would like to preface this by saying thank you to all of the people of this webstite who have helped shaped the basic shell, and given card suggestions to make this deck as strong as it is. Without you it would still be the random crap I thought of at 2 Am after work.
Special Thanks to Kich for agreeing to help with matchup analysis.
The original Deck list.
//Creatures
4 Delver of secrets
4 Goblin Guide
4 Grim lavamancer
4 Snapcaster mage
2 Vendilion clique
//Plansewalkers
2 Jace the Mind sculptor
//Instant
4 Lightning bolt
4 Brainstorm
4 Daze
4 Force of Will
//Instant/Sorcery(cards that can be changed amongst each other)
4 Ponder/Stifle(meta dependant)
//Lands
4 Volcanic island
4 Scaldng Tarn
6 Island
6 Mountains
4 Wasteland
This was the list I originally tested. After play testing and discussion on these boards, we have figured out a basic shell for the deck. These are the cards that given no budget concerns or lack of cards, that should appear in all versions of the deck.
//Creature: 11-12
4 Delver of Secrets
3-4 Grim Lavamancer
4 Snapcaster mage
//Instant: 8
4 Brainstorm
4 Lightning Bolt
//Lands: 8
4 Volcanic island
4 Scalding Tarn
//Core Total: 27-28 cards
This list here is the core to the deck whether or not you are playing a more aggro approach with more creatures, a control version with JTMS and force of will, or more burn with Price of progress and Chain Lightning.
Another thing that has come up through testing and has been discussed here is the mana base. I believe that a more basics approach is the better route, this is not yet proven and in fact arguably false. The two Mana Bases that are being considered right now are:
//Option one with variance on the fetches or basics.
4 Volcanic Island
4 Scalding tarn
2 Polluted Delta
2 Arid Mesa
4 Island
4 Mountain
// Or Option 2 with less basics and a heavier Fetch Base With variance again on exact number or specific fetches
4 Volcanic Island
4 Scalding tarn
4 Polluted Delta
4Arid Mesa
2 Island
2 Mountain
Now this leaves a Large amount a deck space to building around your meta.
After assembling the core of the deck and the Mana Base, you are going to have a lot of room left over So down here I am going to make a list of 'goodstuffs' that can be added in the blank spots to make up the deck of your choice. One of the great things about the deck so far is that after the 'base' you have a lot of room to customize it to how you would like to play, at least until it is more thoroughly tested and proven.
Goodstuffs: This list will grow as more and more cards are proven in different builds if you suggest a card and it is not listed here, no disrespect intended, I just haven't had the chance to test it or add it to the thread yet.
First up Goblin Guide. This card is amazing in the more aggro based lists. A hasty 2/2 for :r: with almost no drawback. The aggro it provides can be ridden to a victory if protected, or even be a sponge for removal before you drop Delver. Recommended for the Aggro Control, and Aggro-burn Variants.
Next we have Vendilion Clique. While many times this card does not see play in the main deck of many decks it is a power house card. A 3/1 for :1::u::u: with flying, flash, and the ability to cycle either a card from your own hand, or a problematic card from an opponents hand. Recommended for the Control Builds only.
Not to be outdone we have Jace, The Mind Sculptor. I Do not think I need to describe the raw power of this card. As legacy players we know just how powerful the card is and just what kind of craziness it is capable of. Recommended for the Control Builds and Aggro-Control Builds. It is far far too slow for the Burn setups.
Continuing the Trend of good Bluestuffs we have Force of Will. While some would consider it a necessity, it is becoming more and more apparent that is not the case. In a more burn Centric Build it takes up slots that could be better filled. However, In Aggro-Control, Counter-Burn and Control Variants, it should be the first (or second after jace) card considered.
C-c-c-c-combo breaker time for a red card Price of Progress In reality this card should be the first red card considered to be added in the Burn variants. In the current meta Mana bases are getting greedier making this card more and more desirable. Recommended for the Burn, and Counter-Burn Variants.
Enough of the funny titles I'm not that creative Surgical Extraction. One of the most abusable cards with Snapcaster mage, the ability to use it once on a nasty card that your opponents use, and to then be able to flash it back is monstrous. In some of the decks that are popular they are very light on threats 2-4 different threats in the entire deck, Removing all copies of two of them, from one copy of the card is an amazing utility(this is the only non-:u: or :r: card on the list of goodstuffs. Recommended for the Mainboard of Control Variant and to be considered in the sideboard for ALL variants.
Chain Lightning. The burn spell of choice after Lightning Bolt and Price of Progress. Self Explanatory. (aka I dunno what else to say here) Recommended for the Burn and Counter-Burn Variants.
Daze. A Free Counterspell is always good. Recommended for the Control, Counter-Burn, and Aggro-Control Variants.
Magma Jet. A filter spell that also is a burn spell. This is a win win Situation. Recommended for the Burn, Counter-Burn and Aggro-Control Variants.
Ponder. A good filter spell or shuffle effect if needed. Recommended for the Control Variant, as magma jet is better for the burn, counter-burn and Aggro-Control Variant
Stifle. Great against storm and extremely greedy mana bases.
Spell Pierce. Another Control/aggro-control card. Also possibly the counter-burn builds. Weaker than daze the first time, stronger the second due to being cheaper to flash with snapcaster.
Spell Snare. Counters CMC 2. In the current Meta 2 costs are powerful, Counters opposing snapcasters and stops goyfs, confidants, Burning Wish, Tutors, etc etc. Just an insanely powerful card in the Control/Aggro-control, Possibly also in the counter-burn styles.
Repeal. Utility Bounce spell. Great for bouncing problematic small cards or even tokens. Card Draw is a plus, and can be draw a card for :u: if it comes to it. Recommended for the Control and Aggro-Control Variants, until further testing proves it better elsewhere.
I will post a sample decklists shortly, I would like those who have suggested the different variants to post what they think would be a optimal list for the style they like, and I will post it here with Credit Given to Originators, Also Match Up analysis to Follow soon, More testing is being done before I post anything definitive in that field.
Control Variant Sample Decklist: Featuring more Basics Mana Base By Beatusnox
//Creatures: 13
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
3 Grim Lavamancer
2 Vendilion Clique
//Plansewalkers:2
2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
//Instant: 22
4 Force of Will
4 Brainstorm
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Surgical Extraction
3 Daze
3 Fire/Ice
2 Repeal
//Sorcery:3
3 Ponder
//Lands:20
4 Volcanic Island
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Polluted Delta
2 Arid Mesa
5 Island
3 Mountain
//Deck Total: 60
Counter-Burn Variant Thanks to Troopatropp Featuring the less basics more fetches mana base.
//Creatures: 12
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Grim Lavamancer
//Instant/ Sorcery: 29
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Chain Lightning
4 Price of Progress
3 Force of Will
3 Daze
4 Spell Pierce
4 Brainstorm
3 Ponder
//Lands: 19
4 Volcanic Island
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Island
1 Mountain
2 Flooded Strand
2 Misty Rainforest
2 Wooded Foothills
2 Bloodstained Mire
//Deck Total: 60
Burn Variant Thanks to Kich867 Featuring a Hybrid of both Mana bases
//Creatures: 10
4 Delver of Secrets
3 Grim Lavamancer
3 Snapcaster Mage
//Spells: 30
4 Brainstorm
3 Fireblast
4 Price of Progress
3 Spell Pierce
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Chain Lightning
3 Magma Jet
3 Ponder
2 Chain of Vapor
//Lands: 20
4x Volcanic Island
4x Scalding Tarn
2x Misty Rainforest
2x Arid Mesa
5x Mountain
3x Island
Remember that Sample lists are only samples. This is still a very new Archetype so the kinks are being worked out and optimal lists have not yet been established. It is just to give you a jumping post to start from, as this thread continues to grow the lists will become firmer and firmer. Outside of Playtesting, any tournament reports made of this deck(any variant), Will be posted and Credit Given to whoever it was, no matter how well you placed. Going over tournament reports that have mistakes that are pointed out helps others grow to avoid those mistakes and it helps designers of the deck try to find ways to shore up any holes and weaknesses either through main deck fixes or sideboard cards.
Well Placing Decklists: The lists here are proven to perform well in a competitive environment.
//First Place Starcity Games St. Louis Piloted by Andrew Shrout
//Creatures 14
4 Goblin Guide
3 Grim Lavamancer
4 Delver of Secrets
3 Snapcaster Mage
//Instant: 21
2 Fireblast
3 Price of Progress
4 Brainstorm
3 Force of Will
3 Spell Snare
2 Daze
4 Lightning Bolt
//Sorcery: 7
3 Ponder
4 Chain Lightning
//Lands:18
2 Island
2 Mountain
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Arid Mesa
3 Misty Rainforest
1 Wooded Foothills
4 Volcanic Island
//Second Place Starcity Games Invitational Piloted by Adam Prosak
//Creatures: 14
4 Grim Lavamancer
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Snapcaster Mage
2 Vendilion Clique
//Instant: 18
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Force of Will
1 Daze
4 Brainstorm
3 Spell Snare
3 Fire/Ice
//Sorcery: 9
3 Gitaxian Probes
2 Ponder
4 Chain Lightning
//Lands: 19
2 Island
2 Mountain
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Misty Rainforest
1 Wooded Foothills
4 Wasteland
4 Volcanic Island
Both of these Lists were piloted through an extremely competitive meta. I will add more later have to get up in about 4 hours for work <_<
Thanks again for all the help to everyone.
