[Deck] Affinity

[BattlefieldMedic]

Can somebody do a "typical hand to keep/mulligen" type thing?

[ignorantpenguin]

Can somebody do a "typical hand to keep/mulligen" type thing?

Generally, you should look at your hand, and know that by turn 3, you will have played all but 1 or maybe 2 cards in it. The exception is when you start with a vial and have a good vial curve with turn 3 Ravager into turn 4 Master of Etherium, with the rest of the hand good enough to play a blocker should you NEED it to keep you alive (you probably won't)

You should also have at least one good threat or lot of little guys and a Thoughtcast. IMO, reasonable threats: Plating, Enforcer, Master, Ravager

[Mystical_Jackass]

Hi Everyone!

I've never built an Affinity deck before and I deffinitely wanna try 'cause it just sounds like a lotta fun, some of the damage I've seen pumped out is just ridonculous >.>

Well, I guess the main reason I sorta got drawn in is the spell Time Sieve. Yarr.. I know you've already prolly started cringing, lol, but I love the challenge trying new ideas out and trying to break cards.

My idea was combining the basic shell, for the most part, of what you guys have and mixing in Moriot Rigger & Time Sieve. I just thought it'd be sweet, sac 5 artifacts to give yourself an extra turn, Rigger grows to 7/7, swing next turn ftw--I just thought the synergy was awesome. I know Arcbound works a lot the same way, but ..well, this way you can sacrafice to Sieve's ability instead of arcbound AND get the extra turn, use the next turn to finish them off with cranial or Rigger, etc. It also might seem like its disynergy if used with Master of Etherium, but I don't think it'd be as much an issue, if anything it'd be more a double threat ^.^ Double Dragon suckas' lol

Is there a way to make this work well? Any ideas would be awesome

[beastman]

I've been testing this deck out alot recently, and I have to say I'm most impressed by the red splash. The power in the deck really lies in its ability to kill out of nowhere, and before the opponent can find their hate. Atog, Fling, and even shrapnel blast can make this deck stupid fast, and I believe thats probably a route that isn't discussed enough, at least, as of late.

[jimirynk]

I refuse to play this deck after m10 rules ruin ravager.

[Elfrago]

I refuse to play this deck after m10 rules ruin ravager.

Thanks for the constructive criticism sir, we will keep this in mind.

[arebennian]

Just how bad do the M10 changes make the deck?

Is it really as bad as a few people make out?

Would be interesting to hear the Primer writer's comments...

[4eak]

Affinity had many games where combat math and carefully declaring blockers mattered and many games where we had to ask "damage on the stack?" fairly often. It's obvious that the deck is hurt by the combat changes.

The new system doesn't ruin Vial Affinity, but I think it weakens it. The defensive aspect of combat was buffed, targeted removal became stronger, and some of our synergistic combat tricks have disappeared. This was a deck that squeezed for every little bit of damage it could muster, and the nerf did take a points of damage from some of games.

However, some cards we really dislike, e.g. Fanatic and Qasali Pridemage, also took a hit.

Ravager is not ruined. His greatest strengths still remain. He punishes all forms of permanent destruction, and he is still a scaling artifact that also combos with Disciple. Ravager will not be replaced; he is still the most important card in the deck, and he still remains mostly functional.

Besides the types of hate that can be leveraged against this deck, the barriers posed by combo, and the lack of skilled Affinity pilots, the other large factor which we need to consider is this:

The average power of the format only continues to increase. That trend is likely to continue. Affinity will rarely (if ever) be a benefactor, and will continue to trend downwards in proportional power to the rest of the format. I see a decay in the viability of a deck which has little room for improvement or innovation in a format that continues to evolve into a stronger and harsher environment.

As far as I can tell, decks that can play random, undercosted creatures are the most likely to continue to be viable in the future of Legacy (i.e. Fish/Grow/Zoo). Combat synergy decks will decline (not overnight, but overtime).

For now, Vial Affinity is still a reasonable choice in many metagames. And, I think it will be a while before I would say the deck is just outright unplayable. So, enjoy the deck while you can!





peace,
4eak

[Mystical_Jackass]

The average power of the format only continues to increase. That trend is likely to continue. Affinity will rarely (if ever) be a benefactor, and will continue to trend downwards in proportional power to the rest of the format. I see a decay in the viability of a deck which has little room for improvement or innovation in a format that continues to evolve into a stronger and harsher environment.

You sound like a downer man, lol.. cheer up :P

Remember, it only takes like one card to come out and be broken *cough-tarmagoyf*, so who knows what's in store the next year or two. They need to bring back Tinker :O!!! lol, jk that'd be too broken Tinker --> Forge ftw!!

[Pltnmngl]

@4eak- Do you also mean Tribal when you mention "combat synergy decks?" Because I don't think they'll ever die now. Wizards is catering to them too much. In fact, only more tribes will pop up as the game progresses.

So what do you recommend we invest in while this archetype dies out?

[Mystical_Jackass]

So what do you recommend we invest in while this archetype dies out?

I was thinking maybe the stock market. But yea, I see his point about there being only so much you can do. Artifacts will always be a huge part of MTG, so there's always gonna be plenty of room to grow, and some of these colored artifacts coming out seem interesting but yea.. most dont seem to fit the mana curve of affinity

I'm praying for an artifact creature with removal to take masticore's place ^.^

[4eak]

@ Mystical_Jackass

You sound like a downer man, lol.. cheer up :P

Nothing sad about it. I love playing Affinity. I will admit its weaknesses and the likely future of the deck in this format.

Remember, it only takes like one card to come out and be broken *cough-tarmagoyf*, so who knows what's in store the next year or two. They need to bring back Tinker :O!!! lol, jk that'd be too broken Tinker --> Forge ftw!!

There is always a possibility that they'll make an incredible card for Affinity. I think it is unlikely though. This is a deck that conjures up bad feelings for lots of T2 players. MoE did surprise me though, so you never know.


@ Pltnmngl

Do you also mean Tribal when you mention "combat synergy decks?" Because I don't think they'll ever die now. Wizards is catering to them too much. In fact, only more tribes will pop up as the game progresses.

Tribal included.

We've seen many different tribes actually become playable, but none are dominant. Catering will make no difference. In time (it could be quite a while for some), Combat synergy decks will fade. Even Goblins has been kept in check, and not by any combo winter (the assumed bane of its viability), but rather by the big green creature.

While WoTC clearly wants to make their tribal fans happy, they aren't going to make the same tribal mistakes like "Goblin Lackey" anymore. Even M10 really didn't do 'all' that much for Tribal decks (although, I think the elf lord is the best in the set). I will admit though, I think Goblin Lackey + goblins will always have a shot at winning, but I'm not convinced by any other tribe.

Wizards has, however, continued to create isolated, powerful, and extremely undercosted creatures in many colors. Tarmogoyf and Dark Confidant type creatures are the real future of Legacy. Yes, WotC gives some love to Tribal/synergy decks, but they will continue to produce those 1-2 chase rare creatures each block that are vastly superior to any tribal card as standalone creatures.

Combat Synergy Decks require multiple parts to be effective. They remain consistent (the real strength of a synergy deck), but their ramp is easier to disrupt and too linear. Tribal decks will plateau (some already have). No individual card in these decks are really all that great by themselves; their reliance upon the other pieces in the deck is also a weakness.

I'm very serious in the primer; Synergy is a two-edged sword in decks like Vial Affinity or Tribal decks. There are hardcapped ceilings to innovation and improvement in these archetypes, and it is quite unlikely that they'll be the real benefactors of the so called 'power creep'.

Eventually, Combat Synergy decks just won't be able to catchup to the raw power of random Fish/Zoo hands. Fish/Zoo are wide-open archetypes that transform gracefully, they are flexible, and they are the most likely benefactors of upcoming randomly awesome cards. Fish/Zoo will experience power gains where Combat synergy decks will not.

So what do you recommend we invest in while this archetype dies out?

It isn't the apocalypse, so keep playing Affinity if you enjoy it. If you want to keep your investment value, then buy duals, fetches, and staples (FoW, StP, LED, etc.). Those cards will never be replaced and will always have a home.

It wouldn't be wise to comment too far on what decks will look like in the future. Barring bannings, I think Storm combo and Thresh will always be a wise choice.







peace,
4eak

[Amon Amarth]

I stopped playing Affinity awhile ago. The deck just is merely fair in Legacy at this point in time. It's fine if you're on a budget but it's hardly optimal.

I think that most decks like Goblins won't get too much better like 4eak was saying. Then again, I don't think anyone saw Warren Weirding coming. WotC is full surprises.

[Kilz88]

So I have more obvious and sound deck choices for the upcoming 2009 Legacy worlds, but you also have to take into account your overall comfort with a centain deck. I am very comfortable with this deck therefore making me what to consider it for the coming weekend. I am interested in everyone (especially 4eak's) opinion on it as an option at gencon. After that I would like to examine the sideboard. Right now, based on recent tournament success, I am playing this:

4 Ethersworn Canonist
4 Duress
4 Pithing Needle
3 Relic of Progenitus

I feel like the needles and canons have to stay...and my only other options for relic are crypt and heap doll (secret tech!!! lol, seriously though, amazing vs ichorid). I used to play disenchants/krosan grips but recently they have been too late. Also, in recent tournaments both in my area and not, duress/cabal therapy has proven fantastic. Lemme know what you guys think about the deck choice and if you like it, what your board would look like and why? Honestly, one thing I am thinking hard about is combo though. Will it be non-existent due to the mana changes (LED and AdN?). Enough to maybe even cut canonist?

[Creeping Death]

After that I would like to examine the sideboard. Right now, based on recent tournament success, I am playing this:

4 Ethersworn Canonist
4 Duress
4 Pithing Needle
3 Relic of Progenitus

I feel like the needles and canons have to stay...and my only other options for relic are crypt and heap doll (secret tech!!! lol, seriously though, amazing vs ichorid).

Honestly, one thing I am thinking hard about is combo though. Will it be non-existent due to the mana changes (LED and AdN?). Enough to maybe even cut canonist?

I played the following list in the board:

3 Doom Blade
3 Ethersworn Canonist
3 Duress
3 Pithing Needle
3 Relic of Progenitus

Combo is still there, so don't cut the EC! I had the most problems with Goyf in the first game , but with Doom Blade/Relic after board that problem is slightly less (because you need to draw them to use them).

[DrJones]

Has anyone tried playing "Transmute Artifact" in Affinity? If you sacrifice the right creature, it can be an even cheaper Tinker due to the high converted mana cost of the creatures it runs.

[BattlefieldMedic]

Anyone see any usable cards so far from Zendikar?

Cause I don't :/

[Mystical_Jackass]

Blade of the Bloodchief + vampire aristocrat?

Its like a badass ravager

[Pltnmngl]

Should I stick it out with Crypt/Relic (I go 2/2 in the sb) or go all out with the new trap that exiles all spells?

[4eak]

Should I stick it out with Crypt/Relic (I go 2/2 in the sb) or go all out with the new trap that exiles all spells?

It isn't all spells (Mindbreak Trap), but rather all cards from a GY (Ravenous Trap).

The problems:

• The card is conditional and the actual cost is unplayable.
• The card isn't an artifact.

Either one of those knocks Ravenous Trap out of contention.




peace,
4eak