[Deck] It's the Fear - Control in the new Era

[Deep6er]

It's the Fear is a bit of a difficult deck to describe. It's capable of controlling the game in a similar manner to Landstill, but it's also capable of winning the game with counter backup in a quick manner similar to Threshold. It's capable of answering a wide variety of threats and it's also capable of drawing a tremendous amount of cards. In addition to all this, the deck is rather versatile about how to approach matchups.

The decklist is pretty simple. I'll start with the one that I'm playing now, and then show how it evolved from the one that I played to a Top 8 finish at the NoVA Legacy Draft.

4 Brainstorm
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Counterbalance
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Counterspell
1 Life from the Loam
4 Intuition
3 Pernicious Deed
2 Vedalken Shackles
1 Eternal Witness
4 Force of Will
2 Engineered Explosives

4 Polluted Delta
4 Flooded Strand
4 Tropical Island
3 Underground Sea
3 Tundra
1 Island
1 Volrath's Stronghold
1 Academy Ruins

The deck that I played at the NoVA Legacy Draft was similar, but had a few differences that markedly changed it's strategy. Here's that one.

4 Brainstorm
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Counterspell
3 Counterbalance
1 Life from the Loam
4 Intuition
3 Pernicious Deed
2 Vedalken Shackles
2 Psychatog
1 Eternal Witness
4 Force of Will
2 Engineered Explosives

4 Polluted Delta
4 Tropical Island
3 Flooded Strand
3 Underground Sea
2 Tundra
1 Island
1 Swamp
1 Volrath's Stronghold
1 Academy Ruins

There were a couple of different thought processes that went into the creation of the first one. It's important to note here though, that Dan (nitewolf9) sent me a PM asking me about Psychatog. I responded with "I hate that guy, and he sucks." So, he kept on pestering me about him until we came up with a list. That list turned into other lists, and so on and so forth down the line. We arrived at the second list above after a few weeks, and decided that I would play that, while Dan would play Eva Green.

However, there are problems with the deck above. The first and primary problem is the lack of the fourth Counterbalance. That card is so ridiculously amazing against so many decks in the format, that it shouldn't matter if you kill a draw. After all, even if you draw a second, it's not a big deal because the first one stuck. Secondly, Psychatog is incredibly terrible in this current format. He costs more than Tarmogoyf, and doesn't do as much as Tarmogoyf does. Third, basic Swamp is awful. The deck wants mana fixing.

So, after realizing all these problems, I came to the conclusion that these were rather egregious problems that needed fixing. Thus, the first decklist came about. Eight fetchlands, more Counterbalance, more versatility.

The sideboard is a matter of some concern as well. Ichorid is a beating. Not going to lie about that one. The other problematic matchup is Dragon Stompy. However, you will want to keep cards like opposing Counterbalances in mind when creating your sideboard. Even though I would say that It's the Fear is ahead against Threshold, I would also say it's by a slim margin, probably only by 60% tops. Threshold can still do it's thing and kill you (just like it can to every deck in the format), by countering all your spells and killing you with retarded Tarmogoyf. Thus, it's something to keep in mind when building a sideboard. Now, my current sideboard is still in the air. My metagame is pretty wonky, so I have to have a wide variety of cards to deal with. However, the base nine that I like are these:

4 Leyline of the Void
3 Krosan Grip
2 Life from the Loam

Leyline is very powerful against Ichorid (of which possibly one or two show up) and Krosan Grip is great against opposing Counterbalances. Life from the Loam is there as we usually have an Eva Green deck or two every week. Even though there is a Goblin deck just about every week, I usually don't board too much for Goblins. It's a matchup that with tight play, is pretty favorable for you. Post board, they get access to Krosan Grip for your Counterbalances/Shackles, but it's still not really enough. Especially if I chose to put Plague in my board for that day. However, some prospective cards for the sideboard are as follows:

Spell Snare
General purpose. Strong against Threshold, Eva Green, and some combo decks, Spell Snare is wide variety choice that allows you to customize the deck to fight the decks that rely on quick plays and tight curves.

Blue Elemental Blast
Anti-Red. Very strong against Goblins, and marginally strong against Dragon Stompy. Mildly useful against some combo decks. It's a strong choice for the Goblin matchup. But that's a matchup that I'm not tremendously worried about. Dragon Stompy is a hassle, but Blue Elemental Blast does nothing to answer Chalice of the Void. Trinisphere is irritating, but Chalice of the Void will shut off my most powerful removal.

Pernicious Deed
Anti-Permanent. Very strong against decks like Dragon Stompy and occasionally combo (but very rarely, I would only consider sideboarding it against Belcher if at all). Strong against Threshold, but weakened by the knowledge that they're going to bring in Krosan Grip. That diminishes the power of dropping it and then using the time that it gains you to rebuild your hand. I've considered adding this card to the sideboard for awhile now, but every time I do, I remember that this card is just not what you want for the sideboard. It doesn't do what you need it to do for a sideboard card. It's still very powerful in the maindeck, but sideboard slots are at a premium and this would be a waste.

Vedalken Shackles
Anti-Creature. Strong against Goblins. Strong against other Aggro decks. However, it has the same weaknesses that Pernicious Deed has. Your sideboard should generally not include cards that you have in the main. MOST of the time, that's a sign of poorly thought out sideboard strategies. Thus, it's unlikely that it's a good sideboard choice.

Engineered Plague
Anti-Goblins. Insane against Goblins. Relatively useful against Cephalid Breakfast. Unfortunately, I think with sideboard space being such a premium, and this card costing too much to affect the Ichorid matchup, that this card is relegated to not being stellar enough to fit the board.

Yixlid Jailer
Anti-Graveyard. This was originally in my sideboard for the NoVA Legacy Draft. However, I'm reasonably certain that Leyline of the Void is actually better. The fact that Leyline can come down significantly earlier and also the fact that it affects opposing Tarmogoyfs (mine are irrelevant, I want to make sure that they CANNOT win first), means that Leyline of the Void suits my aims better. Similar issue with Tormod's Crypt.

Generally, your strategy will remain pretty simple in most matches. Drop a Counterbalance, and prevent your opponent from playing Magic. In situations where that doesn't happen, then use the deck's versatility to set up powerful board positions. Volrath's Stronghold and Academy Ruins are both insanely powerful, and should be noted accordingly. One thing that I cannot stress enough, is the fact that the deck is versatile. Know all the cards in the deck. Remember them well. Odd Intuition piles have won me quite a few games. Knowledge is one of your best weapons, so use it to the fullest.

However, there are quite a few areas left open for discussion.

1) The sideboard. I haven't found much that I'm satisfied with in the last six slots.

2) Are there better Intuition targets? I've done a pretty thorough search, but I'm not certain yet.

3) Numbers on Deed/Explosives. Explosives plays fantastically well with Ruins, and Deed isn't very partial to Counterbalance/Tarmogoyf. Does this mean that the numbers should be switched? Deed is stronger in it's capabilities and usually requires as much if not more mana than Explosives would. It's a difficult call.

Anyway, some general matchup analysis that I've compiled while playing the deck.

Threshold: Generally favorable. Possibly as high as 60-40. Not higher than that. Threshold is still the standalone best deck in the format, and it plays as such. Ideally, you prevent them from landing a Counterbalance while sticking your own. However, in situations where that doesn't happen, Deed and Explosives are necessary. This match will more likely than not, revolve around Counterbalance.

Sideboard: Krosan Grip
Side out: This is difficult. With there being many different incarnations of Threshold, it's difficult to say. A decent guideline would be to side out Shackles. However, if they seem creature heavy than board out Counterspell. It's a judgement call that has to be made given the information you have about your opponent's deck.

Goblins: Pretty favorable. Probably around 65%. This strategy is simple. Counterbalance is important here in order to stop Warren Weirding. However, Shackles ENDS this matchup. Warren Weirding loses to Shackles, and so does most of their deck. That card, combined with Tarmogoyf and Swords, will generally seal this matchup.

Sideboard: Nothing as of now.
Side out: This is dependent on the six slots chosen for your sideboard. However, cards like Intuition take a long time to function here, and may be worth boarding out. Don't take out too many three casting cost cards though, it's important to maintain Counterbalance's efficacy.

Ichorid: Complete beating. Probably around 25%. Probably lower. This strategy is simple also. Pray to whatever gods you hold dear. Swords, and a quick Tarmogoyf could theoretically steal it with abundant countermagic.

Sideboard: Leyline of the Void
Side out: Shackles, and Intuition. In game two, your trump card is Leyline. Protect it. They cannot win with that card in play. I highly recommend mulliganing for it. Even though they could have the bounce spell, you're putting the burden of winning on them. THEY MUST HAVE IT. Additionally, the longer you get to consolidate your position, the better it is for you. So, go for the long game.

Dragon Stompy: Pretty poor. Probably around 30%. Moon effects are something that you're going to have to deal with. In exchange for playing remarkably powerful cards in many different colors, you have to trade something. In this scenario, it's trading power for susceptibility. You have a weakness to Moon effects. There's no great answer here, so I'd recommend living with it.

Sideboard: Krosan Grip possibly something else depending on your board.
Side out: Shackles is a good card IF YOU'RE WINNING. Since you should be trying to first consolidate your position, THEN win, I'd say it's a good target to board out. Counterbalance is also a decent card to board out. Since they have a funky curve, maintaining a lock with Counterbalance will be difficult. However, it's not impossible. These are however, just ideas. I haven't done as much testing as I should against Dragon Stompy.

Landstill: Pretty amazing. Probably around 65%. Counterbalance is amazing in this matchup. You can do everything they can do, but better. This matchup is all about outplaying your opponent. Turn 2 Standstill is going to be difficult, but not the end of the game. Try to build up your manabase underneath it (hopefully with the help of a Top or something). Then break Standstill when you're prepared to start the game with enough lands in play to fight on equal terms. Preferably breaking Standstill with an end step Brainstorm (so they have to discard) is going to be best.

Sideboard: Krosan Grip might be decent but is an unlikely choice. Life from the Loam may be a good choice if they are running Wasteland.
Side out: Explosives and Deed are good choices to side out. You should still leave some way to deal with Enchantments/Artifacts in the main though. Getting surprised by a Moat would be unfortunate, but not game breaking. Also, Shackles is amazing in this matchup. Don't forget about it.

That's most of them. If anybody else has questions about it, feel free to post here.