Gold Digger [UWr Delve Control]

[lambert101]

Testing the following for GPNJ. I have been playing it as a Jace control deck. The blood moon seems like the weakest slot but with fetching right it slow decks down.

4 Ponder
4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
4 Dig Through Time
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Pyroblast
3 Pyroclasm
2 Engineered Explosives
2 Council's Judgement
2 Supreme Verdict
3 Jace, the Mindsculptor
2 Counterspell
1 Batterskull
1 Keranos, God of Storms
1 Blood Moon

3 Island
2 Plains
1 Mountain
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Arid Mesa
2 Tundra
2 Volcanic Island
1 Karkas

Board:
Board of:
2 red elemental blast
2 pithing needle
4 meddling Mage
1 blue elemental blast
2 Flusterstorm
1 Rest in Peace
1 graffdigger's cage
2 Vendilion Clique

[btm10]

Baneslayer is probably the best overall. I've been using Consecrated Sphinx in my UR build and it's definitely better than Aetherling or Morphling. While Sphinx doesn't have the protection that the 'lings do, it's incredibly hard to lose once you untap with him in play, and it's not hard to make sure you cast him with Force (or some other counter) backup.

[Kaslan]

why not Geist of Saint Traft as a finisher ? he kills fast, east to cast, low CC and the opponent's can't target him.

[apple713]

why not Geist of Saint Traft as a finisher ? he kills fast, east to cast, low CC and the opponent's can't target him.

pretty sure they can still easily block him, and he can't attack if moat is out. I like the idea of consecrated sphinx much better.

[bruizar]

I would not be able to resist using Commandeer in this deck. Also, please explain to me why Baneslayer is better than Keranos. I understand the lifegain is nice, and I guess sometimes trolling Griselbrand comes up (it actually doesn't since they can just draw 14, drop emrakul and troll you back with the annihilator trigger), but Baneslayer has no protection. Keranos helps establish card advantage and serves as creature removal every turn while also being a win condition with protection.

[klaus]

@Lambert101:

I can see overloading on creature removal like you opted to, if your local meta dictates it.
For an open field though, I consider this overkill, as your Control / Combo MUs become rather unfavorable.
I'm currently really happy with 3 Pyroclasms in the SB and basically Flusterstorms in their slot.

[lambert101]

@klaus

I am basically playing this deck like a Jace control deck until anyone think of a truly solid win condition. Assemble sadly is just to slow. In some match-ups moon acts as a shield to hide behind until you Jace ultimate. Another thought I had was to use ghostly prison or another taxing attack effect to slow the game down. Last thought, I may cut 3 pyroclasm from the main for 2 Cliques and move the pyroclasm to the board. Just a thought to beat down with cliques but pyroclasm then becomes awkward.

[HSCK]

I am trying TNN right now but really intruiged by BSA.

[Ltj999]

So I tested a pretty standard list with baneslayer and a 1 of batterskull on Friday at a legacy FNM. Didn't do great but pretty sure that was due to many of my own play mistakes and it being the 1st time I ever played the deck. Regardless, it felt really powerful against everything in the room except burn. I felt like I had almost no chance against burn outside of just racing to dig for the baneslayer or batterskull. I'm not sure how to equalize this matchup more, but it needs to be thought out for sure.

[kiblast]

I don't like Baneslayer mainly because it's an unprotected creature, that's it. I want win cons to be as much reliable as possible. I feel Keranos, Batterskull, or Talrand are overall better just by comparing the cards side by side in a pure control environment. Anyway I'm still tinkering with the deck, I'll test MoatSlayer as well.

[rancOr_]

Keranos is a pretty resilient win condition.

[HammerAndSickled]

Hey guys, new to this archetype and my brother's thinking about running it at Jersey. Can anyone critique my list?

4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
2 Preordain
4 Force of Will
3 Counterspell
2 Flusterstorm
2 Pyroblast
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Council's Judgment
2 Supreme Verdict
1 Engineered Explosives
3 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Baneslayer Angel
4 Dig Through Time
1 Treasure Cruise
4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Arid Mesa
2 Tundra
2 Volcanic Island
1 Karakas
3 Island
2 Plains
1 Mountain

Don't have a sideboard 100% yet but it will involve a Stoneforge package, Pyroclasms, additional Blasts, Grafdigger's Cage/Containment Priests, and perhaps Meddling Mages.

[martyrX]

Out with the terminus, in with the Dig. Did some testing and played locally with this list:

4 ponder
4 brainstorm
4 dig through time
1 treasure cruise

3 counterspell
2 spell pierce
4 force of will
1 misdirection
2 pyroblast

1 clique
1 venser
1 snapcaster mage
1 batterskull

2 supreme verdict
4 swords to plowshares
1 engineered explosives

3 jace


4 flooded strand
4 scalding tarn
2 arid mesa
3 tundra
1 volcanic island
1 karakas
4 islands
1 plains
1 mountain
21

Side (so far...):

2 flusterstorm
1 vendilion clique
1 council's judgement
2 surgical extraction
2 red elemental blast
2 pyroclasm
1 wear/tear
1 blood moon

Snapcaster was a little inconsistant because this deck tends to empty the grave and wants cards in the grave. He might get cut.

Overall, the deck is incredibly powerful. It gets you what you need. I saw all of my cards today, many times.

I did have some problems with burn. Perhaps some blue elemental blasts would be good in the sideboard, or maybe a red hoser like kor firewalker is in order. stp my own creature helped, another benefit of MD clique.

Combo matchup was quite good main. I digged for the counterspells and the deck brought me counterspells, what else can you ask for?

I chose batterskull over baneslayer as a secondary finisher because batterskull has the ability to protect itself and baneslayer does not, and i am not runnig moat. It was good and if it connected once my opponent scooped, but at times it was a little slow. Still not sure if it is the best choice, clique was usually better and with karakas much better. I like a cheap option for a finisher if possible, something that lets you keep up uu for counterspell would be best.

I'm already liking this deck better than miracles, it is what blue is all about, baby!!!

@bruizar commandeer might be pushing it, but worth the look on the opponents face when it happens :0

[phazonmutant]

I played this deck in a large local tournament for duals yesterday. Didn't end up doing particularly well, I think due to some combination of bad matchups, not being experienced with the deck, and deck construction.

My list is still pretty similar to alphastryk's:
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
2 Preordain
4 Dig Through Time
1 Treasure Cruise

4 Force of Will
2 Spell Pierce
3 Counterspell
2 Pyroblast

2 Engineered Explosives
4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Moat

3 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Snapcaster Mage
1 Baneslayer Angel

4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
3 Tundra
2 Volcanic Island
3 Island
2 Plains
1 Mountain
1 Academy Ruins

// Sideboard
2 Flusterstorm
2 Vendilion Clique
1 Meddling Mage
2 Surgical Extraction
1 Tormod's Crypt
1 Red Elemental Blast
2 Pyroclasm
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Kor Firewalker
1 Blue Elemental Blast
1 Wear // Tear

R1 - Warfordium with Mono-U Omnitell - The matchup wasn't particularly close. It felt like I had more counterspells than he had threats. Dig pulled its weight, and Jace closed.
R2 - UWR Delver - I was about to turn the corner game 1, but instead of Snapcaster + Swords, I played a Jace to bounce his Germ, leaving me vulnerable to 1 point from SFM + double Bolt. Game 2 I had a land-heavy hand, but Brainstormed some back. This came back to bite me when he Stifled a fetch, leaving me without a second white source for my Baneslayer and Moat in hand. He beat down with Batterskull and and Sword of Feast and Famine, but I finally managed to find a Tundra to tap out for Moat. Unfortunately his Delver flipped immediately, picked up a SoFF, and discarded my Baneslayer. He Blasted my Brainstorm the next turn, and I lost from there. I wonder if my boarding is wrong? I brought in REB, 2 Clasms, Verdict, and Wear // Tear for Misdirection, a Force, a Jace, a Cruise, and a Pierce or a Force.
R3 - BUG Delver - He's a maniac playing Stifle and Hymn. Didn't matter though, the matchup seems very, very positive. Moat is a problem, Jace is a problem, Baneslayer is unbeatable. She took it home both games.
R4 - Turbo Depths - This matchup seemed pretty terrible. To be fair I never had the counterspell for the Crop Rotation either game or the Plow for the Marit Lage, but I'm certainly not favored. Even if Marit Lage is taken care of, Knight of the Reliquary finding infinite Wastelands is a problem. He got off pretty quick turn 4 kills.
R5 - Punishing Jund - There's no way I should have won this match, but my opponent missed several opportunities so I scraped out a 2-1 match. A key one was not battling with a Koth'd mountain the turn Koth came into play (he didn't realize it untapped the land). Dig found me what I needed and Baneslayer took it down two games in a row. Most Jund decks are cutting Liliana so their only out is Pulse. Jace is decent and Moat is insane against them, so Pulse is overworked.
R6 - UWR Delver - It was a close couple of games, but his Stifles were able to keep me off 4 and then double white or red while he pressured me with equipment. Moat was about to lock up the game when I drew my second white, but he Wear // Teared it.

So I need to test much more against Stoneblade. I didn't really know how to beat them when my back was against the wall. Also now that they're running Stifle, the matchup is much harder. I think I want to try out the 4x Stoneforge build, cutting Moat and adding some Verdicts. Moat was good but maybe Verdict is a fine replacement? I certainly wanted to see Verdict more than Moat occassionally. If I don't go with that build, I definitely want a second Baneslayer in the board. Kor Firewalker wasn't versatile enough, I think I'd play BEB in its place. I might need a Needle just to shore up the Depths and Lands matchups.

[HSCK]

I think BSA being impervious to REB/Pyro is really important right now as well.

[Erik9798]

I really like this deck. Played it in a small local tourney today (9 ppl) and went 2-2. Felt really powerful and was a blast to play, even if I played it terrible. Lost to u/b tezzerator after he turn 1 chalice on 1 two games in a row. Also had a hard time dealing with resolved walkers. Played with sfm/b skull but don't think that's what I'll stick with. Next week I'll try fitting in 21st land and a different win con besides sfm. Maybe just main deck clique with resto to operate with all instant speed? Thoughts on this...

[jafar]

Hi all,

speaking of finisher, may I suggest Blood Baron of Vizkopa


He is resilient to stp, bolt, decay, dismember (just to name the most played) and has lifelink.

Obviously is antisinergistic with moat and verdict and sadly needs the fourth colour.

My 2 cents

Bye

[H]

Next week I'll try fitting in 21st land and a different win con besides sfm. Maybe just main deck clique with resto to operate with all instant speed? Thoughts on this...

Interesting, if you go this route, I would certainly run Moat. In this case, perhaps Baneslayer should be the top of the curve then? I just feel like relying on so many creatures is going to make the Miracles matchup more difficult.

Hi all,

speaking of finisher, may I suggest Blood Baron of Vizkopa


He is resilient to stp, bolt, decay, dismember (just to name the most played) and has lifelink.

Obviously is antisinergistic with moat and verdict and sadly needs the fourth colour.

My 2 cents

Bye

Blood Baron is neat, but one problem I see is he gets blocked by a 4/5 Goyf pretty easily. If only he flew by default...

[Spigore]

So it seems both Phazonmutant an Alphastryk ran the exact same 60 maindeck in a tournament.
According to what I've read and seen, Phazon took Alphastryk's sideboard suggestions into consideration and made some minor changes to it.
If Kor Firewalker doesn't do it's job, BEB seems interesting to improve to UR Burn/Delver match, can nuke Swiftspear, Eidolon, Lavamancer (and perhaps counter a Sneak Attack?).
As Klaus writes, Pyroclasm should deserve a spot in the board to my idea.

I'm very curious about Alpha's current 75.

More than that, some suggestions have been made for the singleton beatstick BSA. Imho, Consecrated Sphinx seems like an interesting approach, but might lack the lifelink/first strike.
I will be sleeving up Phazon's and Alpha's 75 and have a go with it. On paper, BSA seems a little 'meh' to me, but hopefully (and probably) she will prove me wrong!
As HSCK mentions, BSA being REB/Pyro proof is a thing nowadays.

Hopefully testing this deck soon and adding some useful comment to this thread soon, as for now, I'm only theorycrafting.

[alphastryk]

Quick update guys. Went 3-1 in my local on Saturday, beating BUG Delver, Maverick, and Goblins but losing to Punishing Jund.

Kor Firewalker was an all-star against Goblins, acting as a mini-moat for 3-4 turns. I don't think that matchup is common enough for that to be the deciding factor though.

After those results & with commander out and wanting to integrate Containment Priest, here's where I've gotten to:


4 Flooded Strand
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Arid Mesa
3 Tundra
2 Volcanic Island
3 Island
2 Plains
1 Mountain
1 Academy Ruins

4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
1 Preordain
1 Treasure Cruise
4 Dig Through Time

4 Swords to Plowshares
1 Lightning Bolt
2 Engineered Explosives
1 Moat
1 Supreme Verdict

4 Force of Will
3 Counterspell
1 Misdirection
2 Spell Pierce
2 Pyroblast

1 Baneslayer Angel
3 Jace, the Mind Sculptor

Sideboard:
3 Vendilion Clique
2 Flusterstorm
1 Red Elemental Blast
1 Blue Elemental Blast
2 Pyroclasm
1 Kor Firewalker
1 Nyx-Fleece Ram
1 Wear // Tear
1 Blood Moon
2 Containment Priest


I wanted a bit more removal main (and Snapcaster has been pretty bad for me). I cut Snapcaster and a Preordain to move Verdict main & added a Bolt. I'm going to keep an eye on this though - cutting cantrips and trying to keep the delve engine is a slippery slope.

While Firewalker is very good, fetching WW early against decks that might have PoP is scary. Ram has been good too - there's probably a correct card here but I'm playing the split and taking notes until then.

With Containment Priest and Blood Moon, I don't think I need Surgical Extraction (it's been mediocre so far even when I've brought it in), but I may be getting greedy.

Blood Moon earned it's way back to deal with Jund, Lands, 12post, etc - things I've had trouble with so far, even if they may not be too common.

Consecrated Sphinx gets REBed or I would be playing it. A second Baneslayer still isn't out of the question in the board.