[Deck] Varolz, the Scar-Striped

[TsumiBand]

These are all cool ideas, but keep this in mind:

Varolz is not fast enough to kill as a combo. This means he and his components should be an occasional finisher that also masquerades as a strong card when you don't have the goods. These things you guys are mentioning are very interesting. But they belong in a version of this deck that I do not think can ever be competitive past tier 2.

It was actually the recent article on Naya/Gruul Beats in Legacy that prompted my suggestion of Experiment One, as I realized that it would have synergy with every higher-power creature in the deck and could even grow to midsize-Tarmo strength relatively quickly, without even drawing the 'combo'. I think it would improve the overall decentralization of the deck, in that it's already rocking an 'occasional finisher' so drawing things which interact with your Naughts and Shadows entering play and quickly dying would be worth considering. Of course as with all comments on the Source, I say this with absolutely no testing and flippant, brash conjecture :)

[danbuster35]

Actually, you can scavenge Dryad Arbor...converted mana cost for any land is zero.

For the record, I can't spell...Varolz...so I'm just going to call him V. from now on.



That's a good point. I think V. requires more work to be good than something that's just intrinsically powerful like Stoneforge, but the upside might be higher. Or at least sweeter. So based on that premise I think by far the easiest cuts are Silhana Ledgewalker and the Death's Shadows. I still think that Illusionary Mask is fine in 20-creatures.deck - heck yeah I'll pay 2 upfront to make every creature I draw for the rest of the game uncounterable and flash! - which really makes me want to play Dreadnought still.


Megadeus, good point. Cabal Therapy seems like a natural fit. Maybe that's what to put in place of the 3 spells I suggested cutting? Or perhaps 2 Therapies and another land.




You're right that you can't scavenge Dryad Arbor. On the other hand, it is an instant-speed creature to regenerate V. if you have a fetch in play and turns GSZ into a 1-mana rampant growth, which I think is enough to justify its inclusion. Memnite just doesn't do anything on its own and doesn't really do much with V. either.

[FTW]

On the note of red (Vexing Devil, Molten Hydra) Varolz Jund...

4 Deathrite Shaman
4 Vexing Devils
4 Goblin Guide
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Dark Confidant
3 Death's Shadow
1 Scavenging Ooze
2 Varolz, the Scar-Striped

4 Thoughtseize
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Abrupt Decay
3 Green Sun's Zenith

Dryad Arbor
Jund lands

On second thought, might as well play that in Modern

Or try to do combo cuteness with Buried Alive into Death's Shadow + Death's Shadow/Vexing Devils + Anger and then Scavenge for the win (or scavenge Molten Hydra for the evasive win), with a couple Unearths to do silly things like recur Vexing Devils or Bobs or creatures buried alive. You can then Buried Alive for Death's Shadow + Molten Hydra + Anger and then Unearth Molten Hydra, scavenge, snipe FTW. But these are all like 3 card combos and fragile and slow. So I think the "good stuff" version is better.

[phazonmutant]

Actually, you can scavenge Dryad Arbor...converted mana cost for any land is zero.

Varolz, the Scar-Striped says the scavenge cost is equal to its mana cost, not converted mana cost. Lands don't have mana costs because there's nothing in their top-right corner (just like Ancestral Vision). No mana cost is equivalent to an unpayable mana cost.

[Finn]

Right about the mana cost, phaz. I made that mistake too. It was a lot of work to track down the difference.

Also, Buried Alive is a terrible card in Legacy.

[danbuster35]

You are correct that lands don't have a "converted" mana cost but I believe you can still scavenge Dryad Arbor. Tolaria West works similarly in a Lands deck where you pay the transmute cost and look for a card with "zero" mana cost and you search for lands. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Varolz, the Scar-Striped says the scavenge cost is equal to its mana cost, not converted mana cost. Lands don't have mana costs because there's nothing in their top-right corner (just like Ancestral Vision). No mana cost is equivalent to an unpayable mana cost.

[Namida]

You are correct that lands don't have a "converted" mana cost but I believe you can still scavenge Dryad Arbor. Tolaria West works similarly in a Lands deck where you pay the transmute cost and look for a card with "zero" mana cost and you search for lands. Please correct me if I am wrong.

117.6. Some mana costs contain no mana symbols. This represents an unpayable cost. An ability can also have an unpayable cost if its cost is based on the mana cost of an object with no mana cost. Attempting to cast a spell or activate an ability that has an unpayable cost is a legal action. However, attempting to pay an unpayable cost is an illegal action.

The rule is worded in a very confusing way in order to explain how you're able to cast cards like Ancestral Vision through the use of "Without paying its mana cost" effects, while preventing you from trying to cast them from your hand by paying an unpayable cost. Dryad Arbor has scavenge, but it is illegal to try to pay the scavenge cost because that cost is unpayable.

[danbuster35]

Thanks for clarifying.

The rule is worded in a very confusing way in order to explain how you're able to cast cards like Ancestral Vision through the use of "Without paying its mana cost" effects, while preventing you from trying to cast them from your hand by paying an unpayable cost. Dryad Arbor has scavenge, but it is illegal to try to pay the scavenge cost because that cost is unpayable.

[yaWgnorW]

Just accidentally hit X on the tab...lovely.

Anyway, so I am with those that think this deck needs more of a plan than just Varolz. I think a BUG shell could be great, but I am with the GBW supporters (just my style). The reason I think this combination could be superior is...well think of Maverick, or the newer Dark Maverick. Take out KOTR and place in Varolz. Now what?

We need a core.

3? Varolz - I say 3, with a 4th in board (at least) GSZ makes this easier to get too.
4 Mother of Runes - Protects everything
4 Tarmagoyf - Good on the board and in the yard for this deck

4 Thoughtseize
3-4? Abrubt Decay
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Sylvan Library
4 Green Sun Zenith - with 4 GSZ, we should use more green creatures for utility

Ok, so now that's the basics of it. Now we need an engine. Dark Confidant has been discussed, and is quite relevant, but what about Life from the Loam? I don't think both should be used, but LFTL can get things done. Dark Confidant may be stronger, because at least once its in the yard it can be used again with scavenge. I do like the LFTL idea better though.

Then there's Kitchen Finks, which has great synergy with the deck, but regardless, is 3cc to play. Keep that in mind before placing 3-4 of.

Other notable greens that should be 1-2 of,
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scryb Ranger
? Gaddock Teeg (SB)
1 Dryad Arbor

2 Deaths Shadow - goyf can't do it alone, regardless of where he is
Deathrite Shaman - obvious choice for the deck

Something on Stoneforge, 2 copies is at least 2 copies of equipment, which may not really help the deck at all. Not sure on this one.

Any suggestions, considerations toward Life from the Loam idea?

[_Fortune_]

Do you think there's any merit to porting Brad Nelson's Junk Aristocrats deck to legacy? It seems like the deck would love to have access to Cabal Therapy

For reference, his winning list is as follows:



Creatures (24)

4 Blood Artist
4 Cartel Aristocrat
4 Doomed Traveler
3 Skirsdag High Priest
4 Voice of Resurgence
2 Young Wolf
3 Varolz, the Scar-Striped
Planeswalkers (3)

3 Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
Lands (25)

1 Swamp
2 Gavony Township
4 Godless Shrine
4 Isolated Chapel
4 Overgrown Tomb
2 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
4 Woodland Cemetery
Spells (8)

4 Tragic Slip
4 Lingering Souls
Sideboard

4 Deathrite Shaman
3 Sin Collector
3 Unflinching Courage
2 Abrupt Decay
2 Garruk Relentless
1 Appetite for Brains

[danbuster35]

I play Skullbriar, the Walking Gravewith Goryo's Vengeance
and it has worked pretty well for me.

Just accidentally hit X on the tab...lovely.

Anyway, so I am with those that think this deck needs more of a plan than just Varolz. I think a BUG shell could be great, but I am with the GBW supporters (just my style). The reason I think this combination could be superior is...well think of Maverick, or the newer Dark Maverick. Take out KOTR and place in Varolz. Now what?

We need a core.

3? Varolz - I say 3, with a 4th in board (at least) GSZ makes this easier to get too.
4 Mother of Runes - Protects everything
4 Tarmagoyf - Good on the board and in the yard for this deck

4 Thoughtseize
3-4? Abrubt Decay
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Sylvan Library
4 Green Sun Zenith - with 4 GSZ, we should use more green creatures for utility

Ok, so now that's the basics of it. Now we need an engine. Dark Confidant has been discussed, and is quite relevant, but what about Life from the Loam? I don't think both should be used, but LFTL can get things done. Dark Confidant may be stronger, because at least once its in the yard it can be used again with scavenge. I do like the LFTL idea better though.

Then there's Kitchen Finks, which has great synergy with the deck, but regardless, is 3cc to play. Keep that in mind before placing 3-4 of.

Other notable greens that should be 1-2 of,
2 Qasali Pridemage
1 Scryb Ranger
? Gaddock Teeg (SB)
1 Dryad Arbor

2 Deaths Shadow - goyf can't do it alone, regardless of where he is
Deathrite Shaman - obvious choice for the deck

Something on Stoneforge, 2 copies is at least 2 copies of equipment, which may not really help the deck at all. Not sure on this one.

Any suggestions, considerations toward Life from the Loam idea?

[ManyCookies]

http://sales.starcitygames.com//deck...p?DeckID=56521

Here's a list that did well this Open, just missed the Top 8 on breakers.

[Raistlin Majere]

Here is a rough draft of a list I came up with. It would be easily converted to a modern deck too.

4x deathrite shaman
4x goyf
3x lol troll
3x deaths shadow
3x bob
3x Varolz

3x abrupt decay
3x green suns zenith
4x swords to plowshares
3x lingering souls
1x liliana of the veil
3x thoughtseize
1x inquisition

1x dryad arbor
Other lands

[[SLAYER]chaos]

This is the list I'm going to be building and testing sometime this week. It's similar to the list that got 9th at scg with the major changes being cut deathrite shaman for BoP and cut goyf completely to move more into the dreadnought plan.
Creatures (20)

4 Phyrexian Dreadnought
4 Dark Confidant
4 Death's Shadow
4 Birds of Paradise
4 Varolz, the Scar-Striped

Lands (19)

4 Misty Rainforest
4 Polluted Delta
4 Wasteland
1 Bayou
1 Breeding Pool
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Tropical Island
1 Underground Sea
1 Watery Grave
1 Creeping Tar Pit

Spells (21)

1 Trickbind
2 Abrupt Decay
4 Brainstorm
4 Daze
4 Stifle
2 Spell Pierce
4 Thoughtseize

Sideboard
2 Engineered Explosives
1 Nihil Spellbomb
1 Relic of Progenitus
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Abrupt Decay
1 Surgical Extraction
2 Dismember
2 Liliana of the Veil
3 Duress
1 Life from the Loam

[metronome2charisma]

why birds over drs? seems really bad...i'll post the list im playing at scg this weekend.
also i've ben wanting to test baleful strix, cuz that card is the real deal and flying seems huge.

[xinque]

why birds over drs?

I'm guessing the flying becomes relevant once you have Varolz in play. List doesn't run a lot of removal either so ground could get gunked up quick. Worth testing imo, or at least some sorta split between DRS and Birds.

[metronome2charisma]

So this is just an idea i was toying with..

4 deaths shadow
4 dreadnought
3 varolz
2 confidant
13

4 stifle
4 dark ritual
4 lotus petal
4 spoils of the vault
4 daze
4 brainstorm
3 torper orb
3 force of will

1 creeping tar pit
4 verdant catacombs
4 misty
2 wasteland
1 underground sea
1 bayou
1 trop
2 gemstone mine.
its just something i thought up and i dont know if its good but also tainted strike or berserk would probably fit in somewhere. lmk what y'all
think.

[CaptainTwiddle]

The problem I've been having brewing a Varolz deck is that I feel like the lists end up without enough disruption to compete against the unfair decks. Dreadnought and Death's Shadow require additional cards to be serious threats, so a lot of room gets dedicated to making those cards playable. I've brewed lists that include Delver of Secrets, but they just seem weaker than traditional Delver decks, and I've tried more rock style builds, but fitting in enough disruption is proving difficult. I'd really like to play Force of Will, but it's hard to keep the blue count high enough, which is what lead me to trying Delver, then the cycle just started to repeat itself. Here's a BUGnought list I've been brewing.

BUGnought
CREATURES
4 Dark Confidant
3 Death's Shadow
4 Phyrexian Dreadnought
3 Varolz, the Scar-Striped
SPELLS
3 Abrupt Decay
4 Brainstorm
1 Dismember (Death's Shadow loves Phyrexian mana.)
2 Gitaxian Probe (" ")
4 Ponder
2 Spell Pierce
4 Stifle
1 Sylvan Library (Can help save you from your own Confidants and can allow you to make Death's Shadow very real, very quickly.)
4 Thoughtseize (Disruption that helps Death's Shadow)
1 Vision Charm (a 5th "Stifle" for Dreadnought. Maybe not worth the slot, but who doesn't love phasing?)
LAND
1 Bayou
1 Island (I always like to run as many basics as possible. In this case, an Island allows you to still play Dreadnought + Stifle under a Blood Moon.)
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Polluted Delta
3 Tropical Island
3 Underground Sea
4 Wasteland

Some additional notes/thoughts:

It feels like the list needs more (some) Tarmogoyf.

I'm not sure what the correct split is on Death's Shadow and Dreadnought. I kind of think 4 of each is too much. Dreadnought seems capable of being relevant sooner, while DS seems better in terms of inevitability.

No Deathrite Shaman in the list because the deck only ever needs to hit 3 mana and you'd rather just Thoughtseize on turn one.

The mana base could possibly include a Shockland or two to facilitate Death's Shadow.

Regarding the sideboard, I haven't included one yet, because I think it's kind of pointless until the maindeck is determined. However, I do think a Life from the Loam will be among the 15, as it helps fight against Wasteland, lets you possibly Wasteland lock someone, and dredging is just fine with Varolz.

[apple713]

The problem I've been having brewing a Varolz deck is that I feel like the lists end up without enough disruption to compete against the unfair decks. Dreadnought and Death's Shadow require additional cards to be serious threats, so a lot of room gets dedicated to making those cards playable. I've brewed lists that include Delver of Secrets, but they just seem weaker than traditional Delver decks, and I've tried more rock style builds, but fitting in enough disruption is proving difficult. I'd really like to play Force of Will, but it's hard to keep the blue count high enough, which is what lead me to trying Delver, then the cycle just started to repeat itself. Here's a BUGnought list I've been brewing.

BUGnought
CREATURES
4 Dark Confidant
3 Death's Shadow
4 Phyrexian Dreadnought
3 Varolz, the Scar-Striped
SPELLS
3 Abrupt Decay
4 Brainstorm
1 Dismember (Death's Shadow loves Phyrexian mana.)
2 Gitaxian Probe (" ")
4 Ponder
2 Spell Pierce
4 Stifle
1 Sylvan Library (Can help save you from your own Confidants and can allow you to make Death's Shadow very real, very quickly.)
4 Thoughtseize (Disruption that helps Death's Shadow)
1 Vision Charm (a 5th "Stifle" for Dreadnought. Maybe not worth the slot, but who doesn't love phasing?)
LAND
1 Bayou
1 Island (I always like to run as many basics as possible. In this case, an Island allows you to still play Dreadnought + Stifle under a Blood Moon.)
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Polluted Delta
3 Tropical Island
3 Underground Sea
4 Wasteland

Some additional notes/thoughts:

It feels like the list needs more (some) Tarmogoyf.

I'm not sure what the correct split is on Death's Shadow and Dreadnought. I kind of think 4 of each is too much. Dreadnought seems capable of being relevant sooner, while DS seems better in terms of inevitability.

No Deathrite Shaman in the list because the deck only ever needs to hit 3 mana and you'd rather just Thoughtseize on turn one.

The mana base could possibly include a Shockland or two to facilitate Death's Shadow.

Regarding the sideboard, I haven't included one yet, because I think it's kind of pointless until the maindeck is determined. However, I do think a Life from the Loam will be among the 15, as it helps fight against Wasteland, lets you possibly Wasteland lock someone, and dredging is just fine with Varolz.

you may consider cutting blue as it doesnt do much for getting you closer to the goal of the deck. Brainstorming and pondering are great if you are searching for combo pieces but you might be btter servered by something like grisly salvage. lets u find valoz and ditch the shadows and dreadnoughts. cutting blue improved your mana base.

If you're worried about not enough disruption, add more black card disruption.

[CaptainTwiddle]

you may consider cutting blue as it doesnt do much for getting you closer to the goal of the deck. Brainstorming and pondering are great if you are searching for combo pieces but you might be btter servered by something like grisly salvage. lets u find valoz and ditch the shadows and dreadnoughts. cutting blue improved your mana base.

If you're worried about not enough disruption, add more black card disruption.

I'm not sure if you mean I should cut blue altogether or just cut back on the cantrips. Obviously, the main draw to blue is Stifle. If you cut it completely, then I think Dreadnought isn't worth running, which maybe makes Varolz undesirable, which makes this deck...not a deck. So, I'm assuming the intent was to suggest cutting some of the cantrips. Maybe the Ponders could become Goyfs. I like Gitaxian probe if I can squeeze Cabal Therapy in there somewhere. Brainstorm just seems too good to cut though.