[Deck] GW/x Maverick

[ironclad8690]

Option 1 sounds good aspsnake, though I might cut a DRS instead of Scryb, Scryb is good when they have a Jace to bounce your guys.

As for Eldrazi, it is very play/draw dependant. Starting off with a DRS and then following up with Wasteland into Stoneforge is probably the dream scenario (at least if you run Batterskull). Knight often outclasses their threats, but they will have unbeatable draws when they are on the play. Just practice the matchup a bit, they don't get the nut draw that often.

[aspsnake]

Option 1 sounds good aspsnake, though I might cut a DRS instead of Scryb, Scryb is good when they have a Jace to bounce your guys.

So, you think, the possibility to exile all Terminuses on the play is not strong enough to justify topdecking these in late game? Good point about DRS btw.

Hi Maverick players,
I was playing some casual Legacy with a friend of mine who was running Eldrazi Stompy and I was running G/W Maverick. I've been away from Legacy for a little while so the deck's incredible speed at dropping huge threats caught me by surprise. What means does Maverick have to combat the deck? I was thinking of running Retribution of the Meek in the sideboard or even in the main since there are a lot of huge threats roaming around these days. What are other typical or tried and tested solutions?

There was a similar question how to fight Eldrazi a couple of pages ago, check it out ;) Overall, I would say, the matchup is favorable to Maverick, unless they have crazy hands.

[BlackNight]

Thanks for answers @aspsnake and @pettdan . I will try some changes in the near future, will let you know in the next tournament.

[lordofthepit]

Hi all once again,

I wanted to ask other Vial Maverick players, how do you guys sideboard against Miracles.

Here's my current list.

I have 3 possible scenarios of sideboarding in mind:
1) +2 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Choke, +2 Abrupt Decay; -4 Swords to Plowshares, -1 Scryb Ranger
2) +2 Gaddock Teeg, +1 Choke, +2 Abrupt Decay, +3 Thoughtseize, +2 Surgical Extraction; -4 Swords to Plowshares, -2 Scryb Ranger, -4 Deathrite Shaman
3) Option (1) on the draw and option (2) on the play.

I'm quite curious how does the game plan of discarding a Swords/Terminus/Top (or any card that is present 2+ more times in their hand) and immediately extracting these works. It seems that losing any one of these turn 1 makes their decks so much worse against us. The lock of Mom+Prelate/Tegg becomes so much more real (in fact, a single Teeg is so much pain if they have no Swords in the deck left). In addition, on the play, we have an option to punish greedy hands with 1-2 lands and a single Top/cantrip spell. In addition, knowledge about their cards allows us to play our threats much better-timed.
On the draw, however, they can hide their important stuff with Brainstorm and the plan becomes way less viable.

On the other hand, discard is generally weak vs Miracles, and if they consider that we play discard they will often keep a Brainstorm in their hand or an important card on top (and draw it with Top, should the need arise). 1-drop spells are also rather useless when the top+balance lock becomes real.

Any thoughts on this?

I would hedge halfway between each. I definitely like Teeg, Choke, and Decay, and I usually like two copies of Surgical Extraction, depending on factors such as how many Snapcasters they run and how many non-STP/Terminus removal options they play. I'm not a fan of Thoughtseize, but it's justifiable on the play and if you suspect they board out Counterbalance (which I would if I were playing Miracles). I usually like 1 Thalia, 2 Deathrite Shaman, and some number of Knights, although the Knights go back in if they're playing damage-based Sweepers like Pyroclasm and Kozilek's Return.

[oSeabass]

Started toying around with Red as a color in addition to the White. Most of the Vial lists look very similar to D&T so it's still a very strong White creature base. Figured I'd play around with a few fun ofs to see how they handle. Also having access to Bolt makes me feel happy just having more maindeck removal and reach as well as a quick way to deal with some Planeswalkers. I really like Copter so I'm seeing how it works.

https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/571566#online

Cavern 2x because almost everything is a Human. Board is still in flux, I want to find another spot for something, but I don't know what I need yet. This explains the YOLO One of Magus of the Moon in the main, he was a 2x in side 16 no good, so he came in and I'm running 61 like a true Maverick. If anyone wants to test some games on MTGO hit me up (jtw11632 on MTGO).

Frontline Medic is an inclusion for Miracles to surprise counter a late game Entreat. Also he is in there to stop things like Engineered Explosives, Bonfire?, GSZ, BSZ, Chalice, etc. I'm probably going to stick to Tournament Practice lobby for now until i tune it a bit more, then I'll try and take it into a League if I am feeling gutsy.

[ironclad8690]

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

[aspsnake]

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

Maverick is a tricky deck to play :) But this is what we love it for ;)

The cool thing is that it's also very tricky to play vs us for our opponents. When Maverick has just appeared, people were saying: "This deck is too fair for this format, it shouldn't win. How the hell does it win??" - we actually do often win because our opponents are not very knowledgeable about how our deck works.

Have fun with BUG!

[TMagpie]

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

You didn't you replay the Savannah and untap the mom on his turn when he attempts to bounce the prelate?

[ironclad8690]

I had to bounce the Savannah to untap mom to protect Phyrexian Revoker from Izzet Staticaster. I had actually played that Savannah in 1st Main phase because I had to use mom 2 times previous turn.

In hindsight though, maybe it would have been better to not use Mom there, and then protect Prelate if he bounces. Truth be told I was so surprised at the Staticaster I probably wasn't thinking straight.

Now that I have had a full night of sleep, I think I am off tilt enough not to quit the deck, but I am definitely going to take a break to clear my head. Getting too upset when I do poorly in a league.

[Roland_Deschain]

Hi guys!
Going back to Maverick (have a 2 years break from MTG).
I plan to run a vial maverick.
So to no expend my time in useless research, have you tested the Thalia 2.0?
And about that new guy Renegade Rallier? wasteland 2 times in a turn seems good to me.
Prelate and that white imperial guy is a thing on this deck?

Thanks, and sorry for the english XD

[aspsnake]

Hi guys!
Going back to Maverick (have a 2 years break from MTG).
I plan to run a vial maverick.
So to no expend my time in useless research, have you tested the Thalia 2.0?
And about that new guy Renegade Rallier? wasteland 2 times in a turn seems good to me.
Prelate and that white imperial guy is a thing on this deck?

Thanks, and sorry for the english XD

Hi Roland,

I think it's a good time for Vial Maverick atm.
Thalia 2.0 is okay. However, in Maverick she struggles in the 3-drop slot against the following dudes:

Top-tier:
- Knight of the Reliquary
- Sanctum Prelate
- Mirran Crusader
- Recruiter of the Guard
- Flickerwisp
Second-tier:
- Tireless tracker
- Eternal Witness
- and so on and so on and so on.

Exactly same problems has Rallier.

Are these guys good? Yes.
Are these good enough? Well, it really depends on your build, I guess.
In a list with Revokers and/or ports, I would possibly consider Thalia 2.0 as a 1-2 of.
Rallier didn't really work for me - he's good on paper, but keeping fetches in order to possibly make him work is not always what we really want.

Good luck with piloting Maverick! ;)

[Megadeus]

You know how to lose with this board state? Choosing white with Mother of Runes.

I chose white. Then I attack and he flashes in Izzet Staticaster. When I untap MoR with my Scryb Ranger, I can't force Qasali through because he already has pro White. I have to let him block, and then I lose the game because he Shoots Revoker, I protect with mom, he bounces Prelate and Terminuses, and the game is over from there. I almost make a comeback, but he topdecks live after regaining use of his top and jace.

I can't believe I managed to lose this game. Makes for a 1-3 drop in the league. It has been fun playing this deck for a while, but I think this single game has been enough to tilt me off of Maverick for good. I am selling out and saving up for some BUG deck. I will see you guys on the other side.

Why not simply attack with a 2/2 Scryb Ranger? It gives him another turn I guess, but with double mom activation, Prelate on 6, and ranger being pro jace bounce I can't imagine what he could have to beat you in two turns.

[TMagpie]

I had to bounce the Savannah to untap mom to protect Phyrexian Revoker from Izzet Staticaster. I had actually played that Savannah in 1st Main phase because I had to use mom 2 times previous turn.

In hindsight though, maybe it would have been better to not use Mom there, and then protect Prelate if he bounces. Truth be told I was so surprised at the Staticaster I probably wasn't thinking straight.

Now that I have had a full night of sleep, I think I am off tilt enough not to quit the deck, but I am definitely going to take a break to clear my head. Getting too upset when I do poorly in a league.

I have lost games to miracles with them at 1 life and what seemed like no cards in hand, only for runner runner runner to just dismantle my seemingly solid board many many times--the salt is definitely real.

[ironclad8690]

Why not simply attack with a 2/2 Scryb Ranger? It gives him another turn I guess, but with double mom activation, Prelate on 6, and ranger being pro jace bounce I can't imagine what he could have to beat you in two turns.

This is likely the correct play, even though it goes against my main philosophy of finishing them off as quickly as possible. It is overall less risky and that probably makes it a winning line.

[aspsnake]

This is likely the correct play, even though it goes against my main philosophy of finishing them off as quickly as possible. It is overall less risky and that probably makes it a winning line.

It is not true that you should kill as quickly as possible, this is completely against any winning ideology when playing vs Miracles :)
You usually have some time, so as a Maverick player you should take your time and resolve a single threat (or two at max). Then, attacking with your creatures (keeping in mind possible Snapcaster), you just force them to use Terminus against a single dude (or 2).

It is of course a bit different when you've succeeded to build a lock with Mom+Prelate/Teeg. Then, you can go a bit more aggressive. Not worth though losing your lock just to kill them a turn earlier :p I mean - what could they possibly do anyways? :D
There is probably a small chance that that additional turn will give some time for them to dig up a Kozilek's Return or a Council's Judgement. But - still not worth to lose the lock imo :D

It's only worth risking it if they kill you faster than you do, you've got nothing to lose then.

[Megadeus]

I admittedly forgot about Kozileks return. That does sound miserable to lostlose to. I hate miracles. I guess if you took my line he would eot staticaster. Force you to use mom, untap, attempt to bounce something, you have to scryb mom, then he gets to staticaster Revoker to free up top and then must find an answer? It's still probably in your favor, but it's not a position I love to be in

[TMagpie]

This is likely the correct play, even though it goes against my main philosophy of finishing them off as quickly as possible. It is overall less risky and that probably makes it a winning line.

I don't like concepts of "correct" or "wrong" play when making a risk heavy decision. Your opponent seeing 2 cards vs using up a Mom activation is fairly 50/50 in my opinion. Just because he "had it" this time doesn't mean he'd "have it" next time.

I would say the biggest mistake was trying to use Mom when you already used up a land drop. Had you not used the land drop and could untap your Mom next turn with scryb--I'd be in full agreement to make the play you made.

[TMagpie]

I admittedly forgot about Kozileks return. That does sound miserable to lostlose to. I hate miracles. I guess if you took my line he would eot staticaster. Force you to use mom, untap, attempt to bounce something, you have to scryb mom, then he gets to staticaster Revoker to free up top and then must find an answer? It's still probably in your favor, but it's not a position I love to be in

The advent of Sanctum Prelate is making me change up my sweeper package in my Miracles list to spread the casting cost a bit.

[aspsnake]

The advent of Sanctum Prelate is making me change up my sweeper package in my Miracles list to spread the casting cost a bit.

What are you going to take then? :D Mom(or Prelate for 1)+Teeg+Prelate for 3 is usually enough, unless you go wild and take a Pyroclasm to your sideboard.

But, seriously. Maverick and D&T are really favorable for Miracles. There is no use to tech against these too much, hurting other matchups. According to mtgtop8, Prelate is played in only 5.4% of the winning decks.

You'd be better off playing a singleton of Tropical Island and a Harmonic Convergence in sideboard. You never know, what if you face an Enchantress deck? :D

[TMagpie]

What are you going to take then? :D Mom(or Prelate for 1)+Teeg+Prelate for 3 is usually enough, unless you go wild and take a Pyroclasm to your sideboard.

But, seriously. Maverick and D&T are really favorable for Miracles. There is no use to tech against these too much, hurting other matchups. According to mtgtop8, Prelate is played in only 5.4% of the winning decks.

You'd be better off playing a singleton of Tropical Island and a Harmonic Convergence in sideboard. You never know, what if you face an Enchantress deck? :D

Primarily it is leaning more heavily on Kozilek's Return, Engineered Explosives, and Supreme Verdicts in the 75

What I am testing right now is 3 Terminus 1 Explosives main, 1 Verdict, 1 Return in the side. D&T is a 50/50 matchup for Miracles because Vial is super good, and the advent of Recruiter + Prelate allows them to use vial to counter Terminus. Maverick is less of the issue and its more that usually a few Taxes lists gets to the win and in rounds. Explosives also allows greater flexibility with vs walkers, lands, and random things like Aluren.

Pyroclasm over Supreme Verdict is also an option, but Grixis has zombie fish and I don't like the idea of dying to it without good reason.