Quote Originally Posted by eq.firemind View Post
I've played some games vs 40+Lands yesterday. My general impression is that we are forced to play aggro here and that can't be good
Games 2 and 3 are winnable due to SB hate, but there is a problem: even 1 game can take forever. In tourney setting we should be able to win that game 1. Otherwise, there is a high possibility that game 2 will be draw due time and the match will be lost.
The best card preboard is Ajani Vengeant, but I learned the hard way that they can find Barbarian Ring and shoot AV down faster than he reaches 7 Loyality.
In this light, some MD gravehate (faster than [cards]Primal Command[cards]) is 2 debatable slots seems like not bad idea.
Possible things:
1) Maindecking 2 Jund Charms. Versatile, but too colorintensive for maindeck.
2) Jotun Grunt - I actually like this one. Early big blocker, can survive enough time to do serious damage after we Deed the board, steamrolls Loam-based decks and opposing tarmos, can be Recurred.
3) Loaming Shaman - stronger instant impact on the gamestate, but lesser stats that Grunt. Recurring Shaman wrecks GY-strategies.
4) Offalsnout - Yeah, I know, odd card. But it can RFG that pesky Loam or completely wreck Dredge for just at instant speed or surprise block something small.
Please respond if I missed something.
Never try to be aggro in any MU (except maybe Enchantress). The deck simply can't do it. I don't know exactly which version you played but MD, you have 2 MD answers to 40+-lands : Recurring Nightmare recursion and Primal Command. Ajani is somehow the kill but you can't rely on it alone. Of course never let Exploration in play or you'll be swarmed too fast. In any case, the best game plan is often to concede g1 as soon as you feel you're being controlled. Post SB enter all the grave hate you can. They probably can't do much against it and if you did not lose too much time in g1, you should be able to eventually win the game. I would not play other specific MD cards to beat loam decks. You have 2 cards to win the MU: Primal Command (which you can play 5 times, tutoring witness and you should be able to win or ultimate Ajani opponent's lands within this time) and Recurring Nightmare on 2 witness to develop mana base, STP their manlands and play and replay Planeswalkers. I forgot to precise that ultimate Elspeth is great too in this MU since it protects your mana base.

Also, I tried Garruk in Elspeth's slots and he has some good sides.
The -1 to create chumpblocker is worse than Elspeth's +1, but 3/3 > 1/1.
And the ability to skyrocket mana is relevant when you need to Deed out something huge like Tombstalker.
But the real thing is that the deck doesn't need anymore, so manabase becomes solid as rock.
I don't care to have 3/3s instead of 1/1s. The ability to skyrocket mana is not relevant anymore as soon as you have 4 manas to cast it. About the better mana base, it's an argument but it's not enough to my eyes. I tried Garruk at some point and I was dissppointed a lot by it. And don't forget how ultimate Elpeth is great.