[Deck] bUrg Tempo

[Sasan]

Welcome to the bUrg thread. You will enjoy it and hopefully join the discussion :)

[afterparty05]

After reading this thread for a while and playing with bURG delver for more than half a year, I would like to post my list as well in order to spark some discussion. List is tuned a bit as my meta (The Netherlands) is full of combo (TES/ANT as well as Sneak & Show), less graveyard decks and currently quite some TNN UWR Delver decks.

List:

Creatures (13):
4x Delver of Secrets
3x Deathrite Shaman
3x Nimble Mongoose
2x Tarmogoyf
1x Scavenging Ooze

Spells (29):
4x Ponder
4x Brainstorm
4x Force of Will
4x Daze
3x Stifle
3x Spell Pierce
1x Spell Snare
4x Lightning Bolt
2x Abrupt Decay

Lands (18):
2x Volcanic Island
2x Tropical Island
2x Underground Sea
1x Taiga
4x Wasteland
4x Misty Rainforest
3x Scalding Tarn

Sideboard (15):
1x Flusterstorm
1x Spell Pierce
1x Red Elemental Blast
1x Pyroblast
1x Grafdigger's Cage
2x Fire Covenant
2x Submerge
2x Golgari Charm
1x Vendilion Clique
1x Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver (still testing this, in theory it is great but have yet to cast it in a game as I never seem to draw it when I board it in)
1x Ancient Grudge
1x Life from the Loam

Most recent achievement with the deck is the semifinal of a GPT two weeks ago, where I lost to BUG Pod (Recurring Nightmare on Thragtusk is too much to deal with more than two times). Other matches where Sneak and Show (2-1 win), Devastating Dreams + Punishing Burnwillows (0-2 loss), TES (2-0 win), Elves (2-1 win), BUG Pod (2-0 win, same guy but he didn't see any birthing pods or pernicious deeds those games), and in quarterfinals sneak and show (2-1 win).

All in all i'm quite happy with the list, since I'm running 2 Abrupt Decay I rely less on Spell Snare and can run more Spell Pierce. The Scavenging Ooze is to go big randomly, and the lifegain and graveyard hate are quite welcome as well. Still not sure whether to cut this for another Stifle, as that card has been overperforming for me (even though sometimes it is just pitch fodder for FoW, so not sure if going up to four is the best move). Sideboard seems well diversified, randomly changed one Pyroblast for a REB against Cabal Therapy (just in case). Vendilion Clique is good but expensive, just like Ashiok (which I've never cast but it feels like he would be awesome in the mirror and basically any creature deck, since it can only be removed by Abrupt Decay and is pretty good against the Jund/Junk Depths decks that have been gaining prominence lately as well). Grafdigger's Cage feels better than Nihil Spellbomb, since you lose the upside of Spellbomb in the mirror but Cage does a lot more against Pod, Dredge, TES/ANT, GSZ, and Reanimator since it does not provide a mere one-off sweep that can be easily overcome.

Oh, and Fire Covenant is the nuts, but I guess I don't have to tell that to anyone in this thread. That card just breaks tougher matchups like Slivers, Merfolk, D&T, Goblins, Elves etc wide open. Love the card.

[Sasan]

After reading this thread for a while and playing with bURG delver for more than half a year, I would like to post my list as well in order to spark some discussion. List is tuned a bit as my meta (The Netherlands) is full of combo (TES/ANT as well as Sneak & Show), less graveyard decks and currently quite some TNN UWR Delver decks.

List:

Creatures (13):
4x Delver of Secrets
3x Deathrite Shaman
3x Nimble Mongoose
2x Tarmogoyf
1x Scavenging Ooze

Spells (29):
4x Ponder
4x Brainstorm
4x Force of Will
4x Daze
3x Stifle
3x Spell Pierce
1x Spell Snare
4x Lightning Bolt
2x Abrupt Decay

Lands (18):
2x Volcanic Island
2x Tropical Island
2x Underground Sea
1x Taiga
4x Wasteland
4x Misty Rainforest
3x Scalding Tarn

Sideboard (15):
1x Flusterstorm
1x Spell Pierce
1x Red Elemental Blast
1x Pyroblast
1x Grafdigger's Cage
2x Fire Covenant
2x Submerge
2x Golgari Charm
1x Vendilion Clique
1x Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver (still testing this, in theory it is great but have yet to cast it in a game as I never seem to draw it when I board it in)
1x Ancient Grudge
1x Life from the Loam

Most recent achievement with the deck is the semifinal of a GPT two weeks ago, where I lost to BUG Pod (Recurring Nightmare on Thragtusk is too much to deal with more than two times). Other matches where Sneak and Show (2-1 win), Devastating Dreams + Punishing Burnwillows (0-2 loss), TES (2-0 win), Elves (2-1 win), BUG Pod (2-0 win, same guy but he didn't see any birthing pods or pernicious deeds those games), and in quarterfinals sneak and show (2-1 win).

All in all i'm quite happy with the list, since I'm running 2 Abrupt Decay I rely less on Spell Snare and can run more Spell Pierce. The Scavenging Ooze is to go big randomly, and the lifegain and graveyard hate are quite welcome as well. Still not sure whether to cut this for another Stifle, as that card has been overperforming for me (even though sometimes it is just pitch fodder for FoW, so not sure if going up to four is the best move). Sideboard seems well diversified, randomly changed one Pyroblast for a REB against Cabal Therapy (just in case). Vendilion Clique is good but expensive, just like Ashiok (which I've never cast but it feels like he would be awesome in the mirror and basically any creature deck, since it can only be removed by Abrupt Decay and is pretty good against the Jund/Junk Depths decks that have been gaining prominence lately as well). Grafdigger's Cage feels better than Nihil Spellbomb, since you lose the upside of Spellbomb in the mirror but Cage does a lot more against Pod, Dredge, TES/ANT, GSZ, and Reanimator since it does not provide a mere one-off sweep that can be easily overcome.

Oh, and Fire Covenant is the nuts, but I guess I don't have to tell that to anyone in this thread. That card just breaks tougher matchups like Slivers, Merfolk, D&T, Goblins, Elves etc wide open. Love the card.

Great to see new players here. That is fantastic. Nice list for a combo heavy meta - the Netherlands are known for their good ANT players.

I will post my newest list later :)

[Ghost588]

Thanks for such a warm welcome :)

I know most of my questions will be answered through experience but one thing that I am struggling with is what to play first. If my hand contains a fetch, delver, DR, and waste, would I go delver first and then waste them? The control player in me usually wants to go DR so even if they waste me I'll still have mana and then next turn I waste and drop delver. Maybe this is just the control player in me going the "safe" route.

I've been goldfishing on mtgdeckbuilder (not the best way) and aside from the generated mulligans this deck is insane. I love it a lot, I just feel like I am piloting it all wrong because I have never played tempo so trying to get the whole sequences down on when to cast what is proving to be difficult. I really haven't played much in the past year due to school so that might have something to do with it as well :)

I should be doing some real testing next week so I'll post the results when I get them!

[KobeBryan]

Thanks for such a warm welcome :)

I know most of my questions will be answered through experience but one thing that I am struggling with is what to play first. If my hand contains a fetch, delver, DR, and waste, would I go delver first and then waste them? The control player in me usually wants to go DR so even if they waste me I'll still have mana and then next turn I waste and drop delver. Maybe this is just the control player in me going the "safe" route.

I've been goldfishing on mtgdeckbuilder (not the best way) and aside from the generated mulligans this deck is insane. I love it a lot, I just feel like I am piloting it all wrong because I have never played tempo so trying to get the whole sequences down on when to cast what is proving to be difficult. I really haven't played much in the past year due to school so that might have something to do with it as well :)

I should be doing some real testing next week so I'll post the results when I get them!

Depends who goes first and what did the opponent play

[Contract Killer]

Thanks for such a warm welcome :)

I know most of my questions will be answered through experience but one thing that I am struggling with is what to play first. If my hand contains a fetch, delver, DR, and waste, would I go delver first and then waste them? The control player in me usually wants to go DR so even if they waste me I'll still have mana and then next turn I waste and drop delver. Maybe this is just the control player in me going the "safe" route.

I've been goldfishing on mtgdeckbuilder (not the best way) and aside from the generated mulligans this deck is insane. I love it a lot, I just feel like I am piloting it all wrong because I have never played tempo so trying to get the whole sequences down on when to cast what is proving to be difficult. I really haven't played much in the past year due to school so that might have something to do with it as well :)

I should be doing some real testing next week so I'll post the results when I get them!

It kind of depends on what else is in your hand as well. I've played RUG Delver for about a year now and there's a lot of practice that comes with choosing the right lines of play. For example if you have the following and on the play:
Fetch
Delver
DR
Waste
Stifle
Daze
Ponder

I would lead fetch pass with stifle and daze back up. Assuming you don't have to fight through Force this allows T2 DR + wasteland and continuing a mana denial path.

If you have a hand like this:
Fetch
U land
Delver
Daze
Spell pierce
Force
Brainstorm
I would lead delver on the play, but if I'm on the draw I would lead fetch pass and drop a T2 delver with Force/ spell pierce back up.

There's also something to be said about if you know what your opponents on influencing your play. Like against an ANT combo deck Tempo decks tend to be conservative throughout the early turns "turtling" while waiting for turn 2 or 3 to deploy a threat with multiple counter magic as back up. It just takes a lot of practice, knowledge of match ups, and knowing what will blow you out. Like if you keep a single land hand and you know you're playing against UWR Delver, RUG Delver, Jund etc you need to be conservative with your land and either lead with ponder or stifle so you don't get wastelanded out of the game.

[sawatarix]

In my experience turn 1 deathrite shaman is way more powerful than Delver against multicolour decks because it gives you a powerful turn 2 with 3 mana available,which means:

Delver waste stifle
Or
Mongoose Bolt(their shaman) waste
Or tarmogoyf stifle
Or
...the list is endless.

German ******** has the much faster and stronger earlygame than canadian has,there are way more freewin games by manasrewing.
(The only thing i'm seeking for the past few weeks is a fast beatstick which can close the game very quickly after such a powerful earlygame.Tarmogoyf is doing well and i've 3 now in my main 60,but it forces me to play with only 2 deathrite shamans which is somehow not consistent enough)


- Team RUG-STAR Berlin -

[JosephK]

It kind of depends on what else is in your hand as well. I've played RUG Delver for about a year now and there's a lot of practice that comes with choosing the right lines of play. For example if you have the following and on the play:
Fetch
Delver
DR
Waste
Stifle
Daze
Ponder

I would lead fetch pass with stifle and daze back up. Assuming you don't have to fight through Force this allows T2 DR + wasteland and continuing a mana denial path.

I'm assuming you re playing Vs a A tempo Deck Game 1. In my humble opinion, there is a chance of loosing your tempo advantage with your plan : T1 you fetch go. He (the opponent) plays land (regular dual) delver (let s assume he has daze. I think you should at this point). Then your turn (continuing your mana denial plan), you wasteland + DR. Ok he doesn't have a land in play but in the current state he s leading the board (his delver came first). You certainly have delver in hand but he may also have bolt.
Another thing to consider. If the opponent plays T1 fetch go (cause he thinks you have stifle), you can't do anything T2 (you don't have another non-wasteland land). And if the opponent happens to have 2 non-wasteland lands, and stifle, your plan is entirely countered.

What if you play this way : You land DR. If the opponent plays wasteland, great for us, it s -1 Turn and we have the edge on the board. We can assume he will fetch since you can't play stifle this turn. You can waste this land next turn and have 2. open manas to continue. Stifle may end up as a dead card (not if your opponent has only fetchs in hand).

You have played RUG longer than i have so i certainly forgot something. In this case, please explain why your plan is better than mine !

Thanks :)

[sawatarix]

The Turn 1 Deathrite Route is right,nothing else if your Hand does not have a second coloured land.
JosephK you are absolutely right here.Leading with Shaman for Turn 2 Waste+Delver+Stifle+Dazebackup is such a powerful Tempoplay,only a few decks can recover from that.

•••Understanding what the Deck wants to do is crucial,othwise you'll just die•••


- Team RUG-STAR Berlin -

[Isre Morn]

bUrg Tempo. You have me again.

[sawatarix]

Last week i went to a GP Paris Trial in Berlin and lost in the Semifinals.

Today i attended another GP Paris Trial in Mainz together with my Teammate Lurch.
Well what should i say:

Gents,i did it AGAIN !
I managed to make Top8 again to lost in the semifinals.
Kinda frustrating but the whole event was awesome.
33 real competitive germans joined.




2:0 Merfolk
2:0 TES
1:2 D&T
2:0 Nic Fit
0:2 UR Delver
2:0 Sneakshow

40, 7th Place.



Quarterfinal:
2:1 UW Miracle

Semifinals: (On Camera)
0:2 Death&Texas

So close again...my Friend won the event with Sneak Show against Death&Texas.



Last but not least,props and cons:

+ thrun for being one of the best Sideboard cards

+ ashiok,won games against merfolk with it and boardet her in against each fair mu

+ all my wins in the swiss were 2:0

+ I love my Deck, it's just broken guys

- loosing in the semifinals again

- loosing twice to D&T...have to think about new sideboard



- Team RUG-STAR Berlin -

[blablub]

Try Darkblast, D/T can't win against it, its good against elfes etc too :P

are you runnin 3 Goyfs at the moment?

[sawatarix]

I took my list from above, 3 Tarmogoyfs and 2 Deathrite Shaman


Did you seriously test Darkblast?
Isn't dread of night just way better?


- Team RUG-STAR Berlin -

[blablub]

Jeah i've tested it a lil bit, Dread of Night is better, true, but so unflexible, Dark Blast can be used against Elves and Goblins too :)

[Sasan]

Last week i went to a GP Paris Trial in Berlin and lost in the Semifinals.

Today i attended another GP Paris Trial in Mainz together with my Teammate Lurch.
Well what should i say:

Gents,i did it AGAIN !
I managed to make Top8 again to lost in the semifinals.
Kinda frustrating but the whole event was awesome.
33 real competitive germans joined.




2:0 Merfolk
2:0 TES
1:2 D&T
2:0 Nic Fit
0:2 UR Delver
2:0 Sneakshow

40, 7th Place.



Quarterfinal:
2:1 UW Miracle

Semifinals: (On Camera)
0:2 Death&Texas

So close again...my Friend won the event with Sneak Show against Death&Texas.



Last but not least,props and cons:

+ thrun for being one of the best Sideboard cards

+ ashiok,won games against merfolk with it and boardet her in against each fair mu

+ all my wins in the swiss were 2:0

+ I love my Deck, it's just broken guys

- loosing in the semifinals again

- loosing twice to D&T...have to think about new sideboard



- Team RUG-STAR Berlin -

Great Finish :) Congrats. Is it still the same 3 Goyf/2 Shaman list?

[MD.Ghost]

Try Darkblast, D/T can't win against it, its good against elfes etc too :P

are you runnin 3 Goyfs at the moment?

Crusader (or Brimax!), Serra, Stoneforge - remember that D&T will bring also Rest in Peace, so Darkblast isn't the best. Sawatrix also play Golgari Charm to get "multiple" Darkblast Action. But with the printing of Brimax and Spirit, a single Dread of Night of Sulfur Elemental is a good investment for GP Paris.

Sawatrix - i know we have a funny talk about Ashiok, but i think it's the first slot you can cut for a smother card

Congrats to (once again) a solid finish!

[Lemnear]

Last week i went to a GP Paris Trial in Berlin and lost in the Semifinals.

Today i attended another GP Paris Trial in Mainz together with my Teammate Lurch.
Well what should i say:

Gents,i did it AGAIN !
I managed to make Top8 again to lost in the semifinals.
Kinda frustrating but the whole event was awesome.
33 real competitive germans joined.




2:0 Merfolk
2:0 TES
1:2 D&T
2:0 Nic Fit
0:2 UR Delver
2:0 Sneakshow

40, 7th Place.



Quarterfinal:
2:1 UW Miracle

Semifinals: (On Camera)
0:2 Death&Texas

So close again...my Friend won the event with Sneak Show against Death&Texas.



Last but not least,props and cons:

+ thrun for being one of the best Sideboard cards

+ ashiok,won games against merfolk with it and boardet her in against each fair mu

+ all my wins in the swiss were 2:0

+ I love my Deck, it's just broken guys

- loosing in the semifinals again

- loosing twice to D&T...have to think about new sideboard



- Team RUG-STAR Berlin -

I have no clue why NicFit lost. Out of curiosity: Who was the TES player and which list did he play?

[afterparty05]

Which cards specifically from D&T wreck you? And how did Golgari Charm perform against those decks? How does your sideboard look right now (still thinking of putting Thrun in there as well, but don't know what to take out). What cards are you thinking about for improving your matchup against D&T? You would think that Golgari Charm, Abrupt Decay, Fire Covenant and Lightning Bolt, together with Wasteland for Karakas, makes this matchup more favorable?

I haven't tested the matchup yet, which is why I'm asking so many questions ;) Sulfur Elemental seems nice (used to play it in RUG Delver a year ago as well, but that was mainly against D&T and Lingering Souls. Against Stoneforge the card is dead). I also dislike "narrow" answers like Sulfur Elemental that are only good in one matchup, rather have a set of broad answers that come together for each specific matchup. Darkblast seems nice, together with Life from the Loam you can start attacking with Geese pretty early and you always have removal available (as long as there is not RIP)).

[MD.Ghost]

I have no clue why NicFit lost. Out of curiosity: Who was the TES player and which list did he play?

Because i had my byes and my good friend kai not So it was clear that he gain the victory and we played it out for fun and he crushed me very well. Fun Fact, i lost against 2 tempo decks (rug, burg) and won against 4 combos (reanimate, manaless dredge, 2x TES) ended 6th places (above sawatarix ) but conceded for the last TES opponent, because he also needed the byes.

[Sasan]

So after long testings and reading through your awesome torunament reports I can now present you with my latest list. Only one slot in the sideboard was not fix, but after Kai's tournament report I opted for Thrun there.



The List




Deck: Official bUrg.dec

Maindeck: 60
Creatures:13
2 Deathrite Shaman
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Nimble Mongoose
3 Tarmogoyf

Spells:29
4 Brainstorm
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Ponder
3 Spell Snare
4 Stifle
2 Dismember
4 Daze
4 Force of Will

Lands:18
4 Misty Rainforest
3 Scalding Tarn
3 Tropical Island
2 Underground Sea
2 Volcanic Island
4 Wasteland

Sideboard:15
2 Flusterstorm
2 Pyroblast
2 Submerge
2 Rough/Tumble
3 Golgari Charm
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
2 Ancient Grudge
1 Life from the Loam


This aggressive list can outrace Nemesis.decs game 1 and games 2/3 the Charms and the Rebs will crush the opponent. With 3 Charms and 2 Roughs I am really confident conerning the DnT matchup. 2 Shamans seems to be the right number now as our black splash is dimishing more and more. Therefore we can afford to play 2. Goyf is curently better than Shaman as Jund and other Decay/Shaman.decs have fallen out of favor. Shaman is really strong versus other Shaman decks to outclass opposing Shamans. Without that he becomes a great mana dork for tempo plays, gives additional reach to end the game. But he is not the MVP of the deck anymore.

It is no coincidence that my list is a lot like the one of Kai. I tested his list and tweaked it a little - his mana base was for example only 2 Tropicals. I am happy that he has updated his list recently for the better mana base :)

The primer and sideboard guide has been updated! Thanks also to JospehK who pointed out a better boarding versus 12-Post.