[Deck] Goblins

[woodjt5]

Hey guys,

I finished 13th at the SCG Premier IQ in Richmond today. Here's my list: http://sales.starcitygames.com//deck...p?DeckID=88272

I got crushed by Lands in Round 1, but my other loss was a strange one. In game 3 against Blue-Green Omni-Tell, I connected with 2 Lackeys a total of 5 times, and I never actually put a Goblin into play. I never saw any green in games 1 or 2, but he had Tropical Islands. On the critical turn I had Ashen Rider and Stingscourger in my hand and he cast Eureka (!). He put Ugin, Emrakul, Omniscience, and Grislebrand into play. I could have beaten a Show and Tell, but the Eureka was just too much.

My wins were Storm, Miracles, Death and Taxes x2, and Punishing Jund. I ran the same list I've been on for a while, with an extra card for Storm in the sideboard. The Lands match-up is a big issue, but everything else felt fine.

[woodjt5]

Goblins has once again made it into the top 32 of the SCG legacy IQ with Jon Wood (I'm sure that's someone here?) coming 13th with this.

Imagine how good he would've done if he'd replaced the Krenko's with SGC's... I jest. Well done Jon Wood, whoever you are.

My list is specifically designed to take advantage of Krenko with 7 haste enablers.

I've been saying that Krenko is a significant upgrade over SGC for at least 2 years, especially in a list designed to abuse him.

Edit: I don't think it's close, but I understand that the debate rages on.

[movingtonewao]

how was your game against punishing jund? seems hard to beat em.

[Chatto]

Hey guys,

I finished 13th at the SCG Premier IQ in Richmond today. Here's my list: http://sales.starcitygames.com//deck...p?DeckID=88272

I got crushed by Lands in Round 1, but my other loss was a strange one. In game 3 against Blue-Green Omni-Tell, I connected with 2 Lackeys a total of 5 times, and I never actually put a Goblin into play. I never saw any green in games 1 or 2, but he had Tropical Islands. On the critical turn I had Ashen Rider and Stingscourger in my hand and he cast Eureka (!). He put Ugin, Emrakul, Omniscience, and Grislebrand into play. I could have beaten a Show and Tell, but the Eureka was just too much.

My wins were Storm, Miracles, Death and Taxes x2, and Punishing Jund. I ran the same list I've been on for a while, with an extra card for Storm in the sideboard. The Lands match-up is a big issue, but everything else felt fine.

Congrats! Will there be a small report? Unknowingly, I'm having a near-identical build in mind (except I am eager in testing Scout), so a report would be a huge help

Some questions:
- Ashen Rider over Trinisphere? What is your reasoning for this choice?
- Only two CotV, still beating Storm. Would you consider a third?
- Any chance you will put Blood Moon/ Magus of the Moon in the SB?

Unknowingly, I'm having a near-identical build in mind (except I am eager in testing Scout)

Again congrats!

[Cartesian]

I have been testing Subterranean Scout a bit on MTGO, and the card feels real. Probably not enough to move Goblins up from its current status of not-tier-1, but certainly an improvement. Being able to attack right through anything with Lackey, Instigator, or Piledriver is very powerful. My current Rb list:

4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Wooded Foothills
6 Mountain
3 Badlands
4 Cavern of Souls
4 AEther Vial

4 Goblin Lackey
2 Mogg Fanatic
3 Subterranean Scout
3 Warren Instigator
4 Goblin Piledriver
3 Gempalm Incinerator
4 Goblin Matron
3 Goblin Warchief
3 Goblin Chieftain
4 Goblin Ringleader
2 Krenko, Mob Boss

2 Surgical Extraction
2 Tormod's Crypt
2 Pyrokinesis
3 Cabal Therapy
1 Goblin Sharpshooter
1 Stingscourger
2 Earwig Squad
1 Goblin Tinkerer
1 Goblin Rabblemaster

EDIT: Replaced 2 Legion Loyalist with 2 Mogg Fanatic.

[woodjt5]

Congrats! Will there be a small report? Unknowingly, I'm having a near-identical build in mind (except I am eager in testing Scout), so a report would be a huge help

Some questions:
- Ashen Rider over Trinisphere? What is your reasoning for this choice?
- Only two CotV, still beating Storm. Would you consider a third?
- Any chance you will put Blood Moon/ Magus of the Moon in the SB?

Unknowingly, I'm having a near-identical build in mind (except I am eager in testing Scout)

Again congrats!

I'll try to do a small report later, but I've got a busy Monday at work. I can answer your questions, though.

1. I don't think Ashen Rider and Trinisphere are competing for the same real estate. Ashen Rider is for the Show & Tell matchups. You can also play confusion in the ranks in this spot, but Ashen rider is more straight forward.

2. I would consider a third Chalice. I was testing out Mindbreak trap in that spot, but I never drew it. My storm opponent was forced to Empty the Warrens in Game 2, but my sideboarded Sharpshooter put an end tot hat nonsense quickly.

3. Nah. For the same reason I don't play Thalia. There's a deck that does that better (Goblin Stompy and Death & Taxes, respectively), and it doesn't make sense to me to go halfway down that road.

Also, for what it's worth, I think Scout sucks unless you're playing Winstigators. I'd rather have Stingscourger or Tarfire in the spots where he is good (getting Lackey through) because they have more utility and flexibility.

[woodjt5]

how was your game against punishing jund? seems hard to beat em.

I went wide and was able to get under him on the play in game 1. He stabilized at 2 but I was able to Matron for Tarfire to kill him. Game two was more about attrition. I was able to Wasteland his Grove to keep him off of Punishing Fire and kill two Lilianas with haste threats. By the time we were in topdeck mode I had an advantage on the board, and he just couldn't come back.

[Chatto]

(...)
Also, for what it's worth, I think Scout sucks unless you're playing Winstigators. I'd rather have Stingscourger or Tarfire in the spots where he is good (getting Lackey through) because they have more utility and flexibility.

Thanks for the reply! Regarding Scout: it makes sense what you are saying, but I feel like testing different builds. Perhaps I should give my WInstigator-build (with some changes) a second run.

[ScatmanX]

Wow. Congratz man. Very nice krenko list.
would be awesome to get another report =)
About the sb, why did you pack so much grave hate, and little combo hate?
Did Stingscourger and Pithing Needle were helpful in any matchups?
Thanks.

[woodjt5]

Wow. Congratz man. Very nice krenko list.
would be awesome to get another report =)
About the sb, why did you pack so much grave hate, and little combo hate?
Did Stingscourger and Pithing Needle were helpful in any matchups?
Thanks.

Stingscourger is great because it does a little bit of everything. It removes blockers that would stop Lackey. It unflips Delivers. It bounces Dark Depths tokens. It also fights Show and Tell.

The graveyard hate is similarly flexible. It fights Dredge, Loam, Reanimator, Punishing Fire, Storm, Tarmogoyf, and Nimble Mongoose. Cage also stops Natural Order. It just hits the widest range of problem decks.

Pithing Needle is also excellent in a wide range of matchups. It hits equipment, sneak attack, and a whole bunch of random things.

I had a bunch of cards for storm: 5 GY cards, Sharpshooter, Mindbreak Trap, and 2 Chalices. None of them are perfect, but they do work in other matchups on top of just being anti-storm cards.

The theme here is Versatility. Play cards that give you the most angles of attack and can be useful in multiple matchups.

[seilaquem]

Stingscourger is great because it does a little bit of everything. It removes blockers that would stop Lackey. It unflips Delivers. It bounces Dark Depths tokens. It also fights Show and Tell.

The graveyard hate is similarly flexible. It fights Dredge, Loam, Reanimator, Punishing Fire, Storm, Tarmogoyf, and Nimble Mongoose. Cage also stops Natural Order. It just hits the widest range of problem decks.

Pithing Needle is also excellent in a wide range of matchups. It hits equipment, sneak attack, and a whole bunch of random things.

I had a bunch of cards for storm: 5 GY cards, Sharpshooter, Mindbreak Trap, and 2 Chalices. None of them are perfect, but they do work in other matchups on top of just being anti-storm cards.

The theme here is Versatility. Play cards that give you the most angles of attack and can be useful in multiple matchups.

I like your SB style! congrats =)

the only thing missing , in my opinion, are taxing effects against combos. (like sphere of resistence or thorn of amethyst)

guess i'll try your build, although i play winstigator version.

we will gladly appreciate your report =)

[jrw1985]

I'm just gonna post woodjt5's ranked list here for reference....

Jon Wood
13th Place at StarCityGames.com Premier IQ on 7/26/2015
Creatures (30)

2 Gempalm Incinerator
3 Goblin Chieftain
4 Goblin Lackey
4 Goblin Matron
3 Goblin Piledriver
4 Goblin Ringleader
4 Goblin Warchief
2 Mogg War Marshal
1 Stingscourger
1 Tuktuk Scrapper
2 Krenko, Mob Boss
Lands (22)

12 Mountain
4 Cavern of Souls
2 Rishadan Port
4 Wasteland
Spells (8)

4 Aether Vial
1 Pyrokinesis
3 Tarfire

Sideboard

2 Chalice of the Void
2 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Pithing Needle
1 Relic of Progenitus
2 Tormod's Crypt
3 Ashen Rider
1 Goblin Sharpshooter
1 Tuktuk Scrapper
1 Mindbreak Trap
1 Pyrokinesis

Congrats on the strong finish! Sorry about the Eureka game, but that's just Legacy I guess.

[kinda]

Congrats!! Has anyone other than gobolord had success with instigator or scout recently? It looks like the traditional list is still preferred.

Edit: just remembered Chicago list had instigator.

[ScatmanX]

Stingscourger is great because it does a little bit of everything. It removes blockers that would stop Lackey. It unflips Delivers. It bounces Dark Depths tokens. It also fights Show and Tell.

The graveyard hate is similarly flexible. It fights Dredge, Loam, Reanimator, Punishing Fire, Storm, Tarmogoyf, and Nimble Mongoose. Cage also stops Natural Order. It just hits the widest range of problem decks.

Pithing Needle is also excellent in a wide range of matchups. It hits equipment, sneak attack, and a whole bunch of random things.

I had a bunch of cards for storm: 5 GY cards, Sharpshooter, Mindbreak Trap, and 2 Chalices. None of them are perfect, but they do work in other matchups on top of just being anti-storm cards.

The theme here is Versatility. Play cards that give you the most angles of attack and can be useful in multiple matchups.

I know what sting and needle do. My question is whether you used them in the tournament or not.

And interesting approach on the storm mu.

[woodjt5]

I know what sting and needle do. My question is whether you used them in the tournament or not.

And interesting approach on the storm mu.

I boarded Pithing Needle in against Miracles (Top) and against D&T (equipment). I only drew it in one game against D&T, when it was in my opening hand. I waited for him to cast SFM before playing the needle. He fetched Jitte, so I named Jitte, and it sat in his hand for the rest of the game, which was rather drawn out. Sometimes it is correct to name SFM (they fetch Batterskull and don't have much mana). You can also name Mom, or even Aether Vial if they have one and you don't. They have 3 pieces of equipment and you only have 2 Scrappers.

Every D&T player I've talked to BEFORE playing any games says goblins is an easy matchup for them. I find that sentiment to be ridiculous. I think it is heavily favorable for Goblins (at least this build). We have better removal and can go way over the top with Krenko.

Stingscourger was excellent. In game one against Omni-Tell he Played Show and Tell. He revealed Emrakul and I revealed Matron. I searched for Stingscourger and bounced it, which put me way ahead. I won that game.

I also bounced a creature wearing a Jitte at instant speed against D&T and a Bob against punishing Jund.

I used to play 2 of these guys when Sneak & Show was the most popular deck. Nowadays I think exactly 1 is the right number.

[Stevestamopz]

Every D&T player I've talked to BEFORE playing any games says goblins is an easy matchup for them. I find that sentiment to be ridiculous. I think it is heavily favorable for Goblins (at least this build). We have better removal and can go way over the top with Krenko.

As usual, everyone playing Deck X thinks their deck is favored against Deck Y, and and vice versa for people playing Deck Y.

The matchup is tough on Goblins when the Taxes player is;
a- actually good at playing taxes, and;
b- knows Goblins well enough to name correctly with revoker.

I've never lost to Goblins with DnT, but I've also always beaten DnT when I've played Goblins. Not a humble brag, it's just the truth.
That said, put Bahra on Taxes against Jim Davis (or whoever the best Goblins player is) and I imagine Bahra wins 8/10 times.

[woodjt5]

As usual, everyone playing Deck X thinks their deck is favored against Deck Y, and and vice versa for people playing Deck Y.

The matchup is tough on Goblins when the Taxes player is;
a- actually good at playing taxes, and;
b- knows Goblins well enough to name correctly with revoker.

I've never lost to Goblins with DnT, but I've also always beaten DnT when I've played Goblins. Not a humble brag, it's just the truth.
That said, put Bahra on Taxes against Jim Davis (or whoever the best Goblins player is) and I imagine Bahra wins 8/10 times.

I agree with your general sentiment. Everyone is biased towards their own deck.

That being said, I would bet money that I could take 6/10 from the best D&T player on the planet--Bahra, Enevoldsen, or whoever else. I'm not trying to beat my chest, but the matchup is favorable with this build if you know what you're doing.

[Ace/Homebrew]

(or whoever the best Goblins player is)

I'm pretty sure it's ScatmanX. Dude does his homework and puts in the required work. Although there is also an excellent chance it's some guy in Japan I have no knowledge of.

[owerbart]

went 2-3 last night. what a bummer. the deck felt good but i think it still needs some fine tuning

[GoboLord]

Most players claim that their deck has a positive MU vs. Goblins. Ask them how Many games they tested against Goblins before making that Statement and that's all you need to know. You need to trust your own results and my results are telling me that D&T is a positive MU, even more so with additional copies of MWM and Krenko.