[Deck] The Servant's Stone

[NQN]

Its crap to mill yourself to get hit by swords to plowshares then. You are crazy. And btw I think that UW oder UBR are the best version.

[Mental]

Why not play Breakfast?

[xsockmonkeyx]

If you have the combo assembled, then why would you want to do anything other than win? It's infinitely easier to target your opponent with the combo and just win the game.

[caiomarcos]

This combo made top 8 appearances in both SCG Power 9 tournaments this weekend, winning one of them.

Wouldn't it be possible to port this to Legacy and make it a real contender? Or is Vintage's restricted list that makes the deck a real option?

[ThoseWhoFearTomorrow]

This combo made top 8 appearances in both SCG Power 9 tournaments this weekend, winning one of them.

I actually posted a different Vintage Top 8 from a previous week where the deck took first. At Richmond, Painter/Grindstone combo took first running 5 REB/Pyroblast on day one. On day two one MUD deck running the combo and one running 4 REB/Pyroblast both Top 8'ed.

While a direct port of these decks is not possible, I think we can take away from this that the blasts are a good way to protect/force through the combo and that a high density of tutors may be the way to go.

The problem though too is that all of these Vintage decks run ridiculous CA engines like Gush/Bond or Metalworker/Staff which doesn't have an equivalent in Legacy.

[Nightmare]

I actually posted a different Vintage Top 8 from a previous week where the deck took first. At Richmond, Painter/Grindstone combo took first running 5 REB/Pyroblast on day one. On day two one MUD deck running the combo and one running 4 REB/Pyroblast both Top 8'ed.

While a direct port of these decks is not possible, I think we can take away from this that the blasts are a good way to protect/force through the combo and that a high density of tutors may be the way to go.

The problem though too is that all of these Vintage decks run ridiculous CA engines like Gush/Bond or Metalworker/Staff which doesn't have an equivalent in Legacy.

The other problem is that 90% or more of vintage decks are running the color blue, and that simply isn't true in Legacy. In vintage, it's been a fine choice to run REB even before Painter's Servant was printed, because it's very rare that you won't have something to Blast with it - even Ichorid has Narcomoebas, for example. In Legacy, what happens if you run into Survival, or Goblins? What about Dragon Stompy or Eva Green? The lack of broken-as-Hell blue spells in Legacy means its more of a risk to run the maindeck blasts. Sure, it's insane if you stick a Painter, but it's nowhere near as good without one.

[ThoseWhoFearTomorrow]

I totally agree. I doubt these Vintage decks have been optimized since Nighbor was running 8 Blasts and the decks from the weekend that were in the Top 8 didn't run more than 5. Since it is in Vintage though, they can get away with running that many as most decks play blue.

In Legacy the blasts may not be as effective but I think they at least are a big consideration. They would be dead in a lot of matchups without a Painter in play. Against BBC they are golden to force your combo down and protect the pieces. Against other control and spot removal, getting the pieces down isn't as tough as protecting them, which the blasts will do. The redundancy of combo pieces through tutors and recursion help here of course too.

I wouldn't advocate running 8, but maybe 2-3 could prove useful?

[Asfalto]

You're right about Blasts... I think that 3 maybe good, considering that Landstill and Threshold are the most played Legacy decks...
I can't figure that this combo may sleep unplayed in 1.5. It's good and only we have to find another way to boost the combo mechanic or use Painter for some other control tech... Maybe green for Compost? In this case we can build some 4C Landstill oriented deck, with Tarmogoyf and/or Tombstalker for alternate winning condition...

[Michael Keller]

The other problem is that 90% or more of vintage decks are running the color blue, and that simply isn't true in Legacy. In vintage, it's been a fine choice to run REB even before Painter's Servant was printed, because it's very rare that you won't have something to Blast with it - even Ichorid has Narcomoebas, for example. In Legacy, what happens if you run into Survival, or Goblins? What about Dragon Stompy or Eva Green? The lack of broken-as-Hell blue spells in Legacy means its more of a risk to run the maindeck blasts. Sure, it's insane if you stick a Painter, but it's nowhere near as good without one.

I politely disagree. REB/Pyroblast is utterly amazing in this archetype main deck. If your opponent is playing blue, then you already have a very solid advantage going into the first game. If they're not, then they obviously cannot counter Painter's Servant, thus giving you instant speed Vindicate/Counterspell at one mana. The card can be utilized even without Painter's Servant, and in my experience testing, has proven to be too good to pass up.

I crushed Tombstone 2-0 last week by Red Elemental Blasting a Swords to Plowshares. That's pretty good.

[kabal]

I crushed Tombstone 2-0 last week by Red Elemental Blasting a Swords to Plowshares. That's pretty good.

Do you mind sharing your list with us?

[umbowta]

Here's my list. This deck is absolutely nutty and very consistent.

Manas (19):
4 Underground Sea
4 Volcanic Island
4 Polluted Delta
4 Flooded Strand
3 Island

Combo (8):
4 Painter's Servant
4 Grindstone

Protection (18!):
4 Force of Will
4 Daze
4 Counterbalance
4 Red Elemental Blast
2 Pyroblast

Cantrips (15):
4 Dark Confidant
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
3 Sensei's Divining Top

Sideboard:
2 Pyroblast
3 Engineered Plague
2 Engineered Explosives
4 Pithing Needle
4 Extirpate

Dark Confidant is obviously amazing. He fits so well into the deck, either drawing fire away from Painter's Servant or drawing you into more Blasts and good stuff. 6 maindeck Blasts make the Threshold matchup pretty decent.

The sideboard is a little bit iffy. Extirpates for Ichorid and FT, Plagues for Goblins, Needles for Deeds, EE for randomness, Blasts for Thresh.

Now this list I like a lot. Do you really need 4 Counterbalance? Three should be enough. That would begin to make room for Thoughtseize. Further room could be had by making Pyroblasts go away.

Another thing I'm wishing was here was some tutoring. You might be able to go down to 3 Grindstones and 2 Divining Tops to squeeze in a couple Trinket Mages.

So it would look like:

4 Underground Sea
4 Volcanic Island
4 Polluted Delta
4 Flooded Strand
3 Island

4 Painter's Servant
3 Grindstone
2 Trinket Mage

4 Force of Will
4 Daze
3 Counterbalance
4 Red Elemental Blast
3 Thoughtseize


4 Dark Confidant
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
2 Sensei's Divining Top

[Valtrix]

So, I was thinking about servant, and the one thing that I don't like about it is that painter and grindstone kind of suck together >_< So, I was wondering if maybe it fit in more of a theshold kind of shell? I guess my thoughts are that a combo and a creature assault are kind of opposed, so it's rather hard to deal with both theats at the same time. Gifts ungiven also synergies with goyf and mongoose, so that's good. In addition, grindstone doesn't have to be completely useless either, because you can give yourself threshold =P However, I'm not exactly familiar with the deck, so perhaps adding this might just make it worse. Maybe it's too clunky...I like it though. I know my other list didn't really get feedback, but I feel like posting another...Just 'cause I like Painter's Servant a lot. Probably could even go down to one grindstone--don't see this thing getting removed from game very often.

Sample list:
Land(19)
4*Tropical Island
3*Flooded strand
3*Windswept heath
3*Mishra's factory
2*Academy ruins
1*Island
1*Snow-covered island
1*Forest
1*Snow-covered forest
Creatures
4*Nimble Mongoose
4*Tarmogoyf
2*Eternal witness
2*Painter's servant
Spells
4*Force of will
4*Daze
4*Counterspell
4*Brainstorm
4*Gifts ungiven
2*Grindstone
3*Mana leak
2*Impulse
1*Engineered explosives
1*Pithing needle
1*Life from the loam
Board
3*Pithing needle
4*Krosan grip
4*Blue elemental blast
3*Tormod's crypt
1*Cryptic command

[Mental]

Now this list I like a lot. Do you really need 4 Counterbalance? Three should be enough. That would begin to make room for Thoughtseize. Further room could be had by making Pyroblasts go away.

Another thing I'm wishing was here was some tutoring. You might be able to go down to 3 Grindstones and 2 Divining Tops to squeeze in a couple Trinket Mages.

So it would look like:

4 Underground Sea
4 Volcanic Island
4 Polluted Delta
4 Flooded Strand
3 Island

4 Painter's Servant
3 Grindstone
2 Trinket Mage

4 Force of Will
4 Daze
3 Counterbalance
4 Red Elemental Blast
3 Thoughtseize


4 Dark Confidant
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
2 Sensei's Divining Top

You definitely should cut 1 Trinket Mage for 1 Top, and the other for a 4th Grindstone. I get what you're trying to do, but it seems unnecessary as you only have 2 cards to Trinket for and both could just be upped to 3-4 ofs and you'd draw them. Also, Top is, you know, good on Turn 1/2.

[revenge_inc]

You definitely should cut 1 Trinket Mage for 1 Top, and the other for a 4th Grindstone. I get what you're trying to do, but it seems unnecessary as you only have 2 cards to Trinket for and both could just be upped to 3-4 ofs and you'd draw them. Also, Top is, you know, good on Turn 1/2.

I disagree. Top is slow. In a deck with 4 Brainstorms and 4 Ponders Sensei's D-Top becomes redundant. However I disagree with a lot of things. In fact I hate the Red Splash.

[Mental]

I disagree. Top is slow. In a deck with 4 Brainstorms and 4 Ponders Sensei's D-Top becomes redundant. However I disagree with a lot of things. In fact I hate the Red Splash.

Trinket Mage is slower, and more redundant, as it just fetches cards that you already play.

[Seregrauko]

I politely disagree. REB/Pyroblast is utterly amazing in this archetype main deck. If your opponent is playing blue, then you already have a very solid advantage going into the first game. If they're not, then they obviously cannot counter Painter's Servant, thus giving you instant speed Vindicate/Counterspell at one mana. The card can be utilized even without Painter's Servant, and in my experience testing, has proven to be too good to pass up.

I crushed Tombstone 2-0 last week by Red Elemental Blasting a Swords to Plowshares. That's pretty good.

I might be brainfarting here, but: Painter's Servant says "All cards that aren't in play, spells, and permanents are the chosen color in addition to their other colors." So you can't use REB/Blast as instant Vindicates then.. -So much for Blasting a Needle set @ Grindstone ;)

Please correct me if I'm wrong!

[undone]

I gave up on the double combo version with vault it just wasnt good enough. The new version I am testing is UBGW landstill with the standard landstill base but tossed in "WIN NOW" combo cards, it has been working just like landstill, you mull the game about hitting for 2 or 4 every now and then and then instead of taking forever you just "win right now" occasionaly. This also helps because tutor means that you can hit your combo if you need to not lose to time! :D

4 Perncious Deed
4 Standstill

4 Counterspell
4 Force of will
4 Stifle
4 Brainstorm
2 Fact or fiction
4 Enlightened tutor

2 Crucible
1 Servant
1 Grindstone
1 EE
1 Humility

4 Mishras factory
2 Nantuko monistary
4 flooded strand
3 Polluted delta
3 Tundra
3 Tropical island
3 Underground sea
1 Plains
1 Island

[Nightmare]

I might be brainfarting here, but: Painter's Servant says "All cards that aren't in play, spells, and permanents are the chosen color in addition to their other colors." So you can't use REB/Blast as instant Vindicates then.. -So much for Blasting a Needle set @ Grindstone ;)

Please correct me if I'm wrong!

You're wrong.

[No_Life_No_Future]

This seems pretty awesome as a way to lock out your opponent if they dont play grips.

Llawan, Cephalid Empress
Cost: 3U
Type: Legendary Creature - Cephalid
Pow/Tgh: 2/3
Rules Text: When Llawan, Cephalid Empress comes into play, return all blue creatures your opponents control to their owners' hands. Your opponents can't play blue creature spells

[Bryant Cook]

This seems pretty awesome as a way to lock out your opponent if they dont play grips.

Llawan, Cephalid Empress
Cost: 3U
Type: Legendary Creature - Cephalid
Pow/Tgh: 2/3
Rules Text: When Llawan, Cephalid Empress comes into play, return all blue creatures your opponents control to their owners' hands. Your opponents can't play blue creature spells

Why? Cards that arn't good without painter suck. Play Reap and get back 10 cards a turn from your graveyard. It's still not winning the game.