[Deck] GW/x Maverick

[Barook]

This leads me to think that the deck is good again

That's actually suprising, though, Miracles is all but gone. Although the reduced numbers might help. I'm rather puzzled why Omnitell isn't tearing apart everything yet.

I think the black splash has a lot of merit since DRS is an insane workhorse in various match-ups and does an excellent job at keeping opposing DRS at bay while you could care less about it.

A package of Ooze/DRS/GSZ gives you a very powerful graveyard-hate package at high consistency MD which can be boosted even further with a few sideboard slots to insane levels. The build with 4 DRS I'm currently using is probably the most graveyard-hating deck in the format post-sideboarding.

[Koby]

That's actually suprising, though, Miracles is all but gone. Although the reduced numbers might help. I'm rather puzzled why Omnitell isn't tearing apart everything yet.

I think the black splash has a lot of merit since DRS is an insane workhorse in various match-ups and does an excellent job at keeping opposing DRS at bay while you could care less about it.

A package of Ooze/DRS/GSZ gives you a very powerful graveyard-hate package at high consistency MD which can be boosted even further with a few sideboard slots to insane levels. The build with 4 DRS I'm currently using is probably the most graveyard-hating deck in the format post-sideboarding.

First point, three Miracle decks made Top 8 at this tournament. It was an odd bracket: Miracles (W,W,W) vs Miracles plays the winner of Sneak Show (W,L) vs Miracles ...LOL; other side of the bracket was Dredge (W, L) vs Goblins plays the winner of Maverick (W,W,L) vs BUG Delver. So pretty much Aggro on one side, and control/combo on the other. Another Miracle also made 9th place. I think for the most part, Maverick deck dodged like crazy.

Additionally, there were at least 3 Sneak Show decks and at least 3 OmniHall decks at this tournament, so it wasn't for a lack of them.

Second point, I dont differentiate greatly between GW and GW/b. The splash helps to address combo decks, but the core of the deck is its strength.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what Matt (said player) writes up to know the exact details.

[Megadeus]

Tracker isn't that bad. The fact that he comes online quicker vs stuff like goyf is nice. Master off the wild hunt takes a few turns to really start doing anything. Consider that he comes down turn 3 at earliest, more often than not turn 4 via GSZ, Then he isn't even taking down mid sized goyfs until turn 6-7. I played him for a long time in nic fit and it was always very meh

[Barook]

Tracker isn't that bad. The fact that he comes online quicker vs stuff like goyf is nice. Master off the wild hunt takes a few turns to really start doing anything. Consider that he comes down turn 3 at earliest, more often than not turn 4 via GSZ, Then he isn't even taking down mid sized goyfs until turn 6-7. I played him for a long time in nic fit and it was always very meh

Even with Tracker, you need a creature of decent size to get the killing started. And unless you have a decent-sized KotR, I doubt you're going to take down a Goyf that easily.

Besides, Goyfs are less of a problem unless in multiples or being at least 5/6 since you can work up the graveyard quite nicely.

First point, three Miracle decks made Top 8 at this tournament. It was an odd bracket: Miracles (W,W,W) vs Miracles plays the winner of Sneak Show (W,L) vs Miracles ...LOL; other side of the bracket was Dredge (W, L) vs Goblins plays the winner of Maverick (W,W,L) vs BUG Delver. So pretty much Aggro on one side, and control/combo on the other. Another Miracle also made 9th place. I think for the most part, Maverick deck dodged like crazy.

Additionally, there were at least 3 Sneak Show decks and at least 3 OmniHall decks at this tournament, so it wasn't for a lack of them.

Second point, I dont differentiate greatly between GW and GW/b. The splash helps to address combo decks, but the core of the deck is its strength.

That was certainly a lucky bracket for him, then.

And I wouldn't say that Sneak & Show isn't too bad of a match-up, despite them getting stupid auto-wins from time to time. It only gets really troublesome if they can land an Omniscience which is pretty much instant game over unless they have zero gas left and brick. That ruined me yesterday because my Karakas in play was turned useless.

I do think that there's a difference between the GW and and GW/b variant since DRS' reach ability is quite powerful on its own. Hell, I shot a BUG player from 20 to 0 by just using 3x DRS today without swinging a single time. Maverick and variants might be an interesting topic for your next Podcast.

[Koby]

I'll add it to the list of growing topics. I would certainly feel better chatting about it with some practice behind it to back it up. Guess I have a new project...

[Barook]

I'll add it to the list of growing topics. I would certainly feel better chatting about it with some practice behind it to back it up. Guess I have a new project...

I think the growing number of decks adapting Deathrite Shaman is a topic in itself which probably also has a broader appeal to the audience.

Edit: Also how to deal with them. The topic was already slightly touched in the last podcast, but only from a GY-deck perspective. DRS can ruin your day even without caring about your graveyard.

[ThediscoPower]

Even with Tracker, you need a creature of decent size to get the killing started. And unless you have a decent-sized KotR, I doubt you're going to take down a Goyf that easily.

Besides, Goyfs are less of a problem unless in multiples or being at least 5/6 since you can work up the graveyard quite nicely.

Just wanted to barge in, as i have been using tracker in the sideboard starting last week, to pretty good results so far in creature based matchups, mostly. Also, as far is the argument of having a decent sized creature argument goes, when it is mostly true, I had situations when a small creature was enough for tracker to do his job. For exemple, exalted creature interact well with him (exemple I ran in last week, I attack with thalia, exalted trigger resolves, shoot down his deathrite with 3/2 thalia), and, mostly, something along the lines of a 2/2 is more than enough to take out what you need to take out (I use it mostly to kill deathrites, elves, merfolks lords, and I imagine I would side it in against goblins, but I did not get to play against that deck yet). Aside from that, he has also been very good with garruck relentless in general, let it be the 2/2 tokens or the deathtouch tokens (obviously). Finally, I don`t think the card should be judged by it's (poor) ability to kill huge creatures, because, in my experience, you are not ever really shooting down big guys with it, but always the little creatures you happen to find in creature matchups.

however, I am interested in seeing how master of the wild hunt goes for you, as I like what the card brings in general. My only concern was the mana cost, and the fact that you have to wait a whole turn before it does anything( however, to same can be said about tracker). Looking forward to this.

[Barook]

@ThediscoPower: Tracker might be better in builds that are more exalted-heavy (thus including Hierarchs). But since I only run 2 Pridemages, I rarely get Exalted triggers. And I currently don't run Garruk Relentless (which has the odd problem that his flipped form dies to AD because his CMC is - something that hasn't been mentioned before).

MotWH is probably going to fill a niche since he's immune to AD. I like hearing "I can't deal with that". Yes, he's slow (and thus not MD material), but speed isn't your main concern in the match-ups where he matters since you're going to grind out your opponent.

[Megadeus]

You do have a point. Being higher than 3 CMC actually means a lot these days.

[ThediscoPower]

@ThediscoPower: Tracker might be better in builds that are more exalted-heavy (thus including Hierarchs). But since I only run 2 Pridemages, I rarely get Exalted triggers. And I currently don't run Garruk Relentless (which has the odd problem that his flipped form dies to AD because his CMC is - something that hasn't been mentioned before).

MotWH is probably going to fill a niche since he's immune to AD. I like hearing "I can't deal with that". Yes, he's slow (and thus not MD material), but speed isn't your main concern in the match-ups where he matters since you're going to grind out your opponent.

well this is the difference I think. I am not bringing in tracker nor garruck against shardless or jund, so I think I understand where you are comming from, as you want a response specific to shardless. From my side, i have been satisfied with thrun and wilt-leaf liege to bring in against them. If not those, I believe even loxodon smiter isn't bad against them (die to decay, but at least it's the only thing that hits it), but I would probably run a second liege before running smiter if I believe a lot of bug/jund are to show up in a tourney.

[useL]

well this is the difference I think. I am not bringing in tracker nor garruck against shardless or jund, so I think I understand where you are comming from, as you want a response specific to shardless. From my side, i have been satisfied with thrun and wilt-leaf liege to bring in against them. If not those, I believe even loxodon smiter isn't bad against them (die to decay, but at least it's the only thing that hits it), but I would probably run a second liege before running smiter if I believe a lot of bug/jund are to show up in a tourney.

What's the problem with shardless/jund? Just play Sigarda in your main and win. Ramp up, resolve, tap sideways 3-4 times. They can not handle her except with a Pernicious Deed so should be kind of free win.

[Barook]

What's the problem with shardless/jund? Just play Sigarda in your main and win. Ramp up, resolve, tap sideways 3-4 times. They can not handle her except with a Pernicious Deed so should be kind of free win.

5/6 mana is alot to ask for, especially since they run a full set of Wasteland. 4/5 mana is already alot.

And good luck with Sigarda if they have a Baleful Strix active since it needs to be answered via Mom/StP first.

Can't say much about Jund, though, since I've only played two matches against it (Punishing variant) so far and the pilot was kinda inexperienced with a bit of a weird build. So the data of doing reasonable well against it should be taken with a grain of salt.

[ThediscoPower]

What's the problem with shardless/jund? Just play Sigarda in your main and win. Ramp up, resolve, tap sideways 3-4 times. They can not handle her except with a Pernicious Deed so should be kind of free win.

Sigarda is only playable in the straight g/w version, as without something like craddle it's borderline impossible to cast it reliably. Bah, even resolving thrun is enough sometimes in those games. As it has been proven in the past, when in doubt, play hexproof. I heard wizard thought that it was somewhat more interactive than shroud.

[Barook]

Sigarda is only playable in the straight g/w version, as without something like craddle it's borderline impossible to cast it reliably. Bah, even resolving thrun is enough sometimes in those games. As it has been proven in the past, when in doubt, play hexproof. I heard wizard thought that it was somewhat more interactive than shroud.

I run Cradle in my 3 color version. While it isn't as essential as in the Vial version, it's nice to have when you need a broken amount of mana. Sigarda is powerful, but still expensive. Thrun is nice as well, but suffers alot once your opponent has 4/5 Gofys or something equally big.

Thrun, Sigarda and MotWH have all advantages and disadvantages. The question is which one fits which deck type and which meta the best?

[Pans-Advocate]

I have been fooling around with a GWB version of M@verick's Vial build, and it feels pretty powerful. The individual card quality is quite high and the deck has strong draws against almost every deck in the format. Still, I think a lot of the reason why I like the deck is confirmation bias and soft testing. I honestly have no idea how it would fare in a truly competitive environment, because I haven't actually played any sanctioned matches with it yet.

Here's the current list:

1 Plains
1 Swamp
3 Marsh Flats
1 Scrubland
4 Wasteland
1 Karakas
2 Savannah
3 Windswept Heath
1 Verdant Catacombs
2 Horizon Canopy
1 Forest
1 Bayou
1 Maze of Ith

4 Dark Confidant
4 Mother of Runes
4 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Deathrite Shaman
2 Gaddock Teeg
3 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Qasali Pridemage

1 Batterskull
1 Umezawa's Jitte
3 Thoughtseize
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 AEther Vial

SB: 3 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 2 Lingering Souls
SB: 2 Oblivion Ring
SB: 1 Bojuka Bog
SB: 2 Path to Exile
SB: 2 Crop Rotation
SB: 2 Duress
SB: 1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence

The sideboard feels all over the place and is probably not even close to as good as it can be. I'm finding myself without a board plan for matchups here and there. But the maindeck feels solid and when I open on curve it feels very strong.

Has anyone else tried this and found inherent weaknesses in the concept?

[AlbyLegacy]

Some versions of Nic Fit ran Ulvenwald Tracker. I wonder if that would be a better GSZ target if you just need a green Grim Lavamancer? Of course, it does not give the same board presence, but it's always fun to make a creature fight your Knight :)

yea. I seen that card in some maverick decks as well. there is just so many ways to go with this deck.

[AlbyLegacy]

I have been fooling around with a GWB version of M@verick's Vial build, and it feels pretty powerful. The individual card quality is quite high and the deck has strong draws against almost every deck in the format. Still, I think a lot of the reason why I like the deck is confirmation bias and soft testing. I honestly have no idea how it would fare in a truly competitive environment, because I haven't actually played any sanctioned matches with it yet.

Here's the current list:

1 Plains
1 Swamp
3 Marsh Flats
1 Scrubland
4 Wasteland
1 Karakas
2 Savannah
3 Windswept Heath
1 Verdant Catacombs
2 Horizon Canopy
1 Forest
1 Bayou
1 Maze of Ith

4 Dark Confidant
4 Mother of Runes
4 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Deathrite Shaman
2 Gaddock Teeg
3 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Qasali Pridemage

1 Batterskull
1 Umezawa's Jitte
3 Thoughtseize
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 AEther Vial

SB: 3 Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 2 Lingering Souls
SB: 2 Oblivion Ring
SB: 1 Bojuka Bog
SB: 2 Path to Exile
SB: 2 Crop Rotation
SB: 2 Duress
SB: 1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence

The sideboard feels all over the place and is probably not even close to as good as it can be. I'm finding myself without a board plan for matchups here and there. But the maindeck feels solid and when I open on curve it feels very strong.

Has anyone else tried this and found inherent weaknesses in the concept?

this looks more like a junk deck then Maverick deck. I should try vial in my GW maverick build.

[Barook]

@Pans-Advocate: I would definitely run a third equipment to prevent SFMs from blanking early. You also lack Gaea's Cradle which I found to be essential with the equipment plan.

And I don't think Vial is worth losing GSZ when you don't even run Wayfarer.

[Fatal]

And I don't think Vial is worth losing GSZ when you don't even run Wayfarer.

This. Vial build is so strong bacause of this little dude, also Scryb Ranger is cut which has enough synergy with all the build which M@verick bring to perfection. If I would change anything there I would just change few hierarchs with Deadrite Shamans and probably some sb slots adopted to third color. You cut a lot of functional lands which was also stength of that build, now you just have Vial Junk which have more dead draws (for example vial in middle/late game). If you still keep that build I suggest third equipment - Sword of Light and Shadow - running 4 Dark Confidants and Thoughtsieze needs a lot of lifelink to face any aggro deck.

[Barook]

Some observations made today regarding MotWH in completely unrelated match-ups:

- 5 mana is already a stretch to reach. 6 mana for Sigarda seems unrealistic in a reasonable time frame.

- He blows against decks packing Bolts - but that was kinda expected.