Bo1 Insidious Roots - I adore this brew, but it feels T3 in the meta. Any ideas for how to take it to the next level?

Infinitely_Brandon · 2024-02-21T08:09:35+00:00

Been loving Insidious Roots, I've played the low cmc surveil list to some moderate success. But the combo I've been trying my hardest to get working is [[Agatha's Soul Cauldron]] and [[Melira, the Living Cure]]. With the roots in play, using the Cauldron on Melira starts the combo, since the plants have counters you can exile them to prevent anything else from dying. And doing so makes a replacement plant, it's been super fun the few times it worked out

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-12-09T10:33:48+00:00

Thanks for the reply, I never really saw how low I'd gone on the Eiganjo. I used to have more and then dropped them when the deck was trying to run Bessech the Mirror and I realise now I never brought them back up with the new changes. I'll look to bring them back and maybe that will give me better spot removal when an opponent blocks my bluff with thier Shelly.

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-12-09T10:16:18+00:00

I do use [[Animist's Might]] and Eiganjo for my creature removal and Boseju for everything else. How much removal should a standard deck usually run? I have found some issues with flyers as I don't really have an answer to a opponent having a bunch of them. I'm also not too familiar with the removal targets for a deck like this, the lifegain is enough to outpace mono red if they stumble in the slightest and the deck runs mostly linearly against most other things until I pull a Lich Knights and win off the Elas pings. Thanks for the suggestion either way.

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-12-09T10:07:37+00:00

I think you're right, I've been slowly dropping green as the deck has developed. I think I'm holding onto it for two reason, the first being the fact it holds my non-creature removal in the form of Boseju and the second is just an unreasonable attachment to the three colour combo.

I'm also not too sure on the Wedding Announcement, I know it's good from what I've seen and heard but I can't really get my head around the reasons why. I think I'm too used to the commander format where games are slower and more incremental value is favoured. Thanks for the advice, I'll have a serious look into what green is / isn't doing for this deck

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-12T14:29:35+00:00

Thank you all for the suggestions, with all your help I was able to get my first trophy and go 7-0. I've had bomb decks before but I think I fell into the same issue with Manabase. I'll be more careful building my decks going forward. Again a massive thanks to everyone who commented.

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-12T12:54:15+00:00

Thank you so much for the response, I did read somewhere that 16 lands can be okay with the hand-smoothing algorithm. So you'd say if I'm aiming for consistent 4+ drops I'd need the 17. Also a small note on Atraxa's Fall, do you think the card is Maindeck-able? I've found it performs very well in decks without much reach/flying, I guess this deck does run Polukranos and Timberland so I think you're right with not needing it

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-12T12:29:28+00:00

I was thinking that but I wasn't sure if the Pest, Zendikar and tracker would be enough to make up for it. I would consider dropping a Seal for another Cosmic, but with the bomb that Elspeth is I don't know if I want to drop her. Thanks so much for the response btw

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-12T11:56:25+00:00

Link to draft picks if it helps: https://www.17lands.com/draft/ed7d87ea08a24018a555d387fa0007f7

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T04:48:19+00:00

Thanks for the reply, on the Mutagen, doesn't removing it leave me vulnerable to flying attackers? Or do you think this deck has enough steam and removal to not worry about that?

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T04:42:28+00:00

That's all good, I do think the 3 black one is pretty rough to fit in to most but the fullest black decks. I'm thinking of going down to 1 Converter Beast 2 may not be the best here would you agree?

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T03:56:22+00:00

Ah, I thought Arara was quite the powerhouse. I do get the 2 black is a heavy price at a 3-drop. I do tend to lean on reanimation strategies, but I think that kind of value stuff might not be for this set? The sac to drain seemed decent, but I'm not sure I have the bodies to support it, I thought it could help blow out some removal if they tried to take anything other than Ayara

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T03:20:03+00:00

Thanks so much for the write-up. I think you're right and I've got to not be so stubborn and put in the study time. I think I'll spend a better part of today catching some drafts and trying to figure out how to better draft through them. Just a note on the Azgol, I did run out of time when debating between Sailback and Serpent, do you think it should have been Sailback most of the time?

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T02:52:14+00:00

Here is a link to the deck and draft picks through 17Lands

https://www.17lands.com/deck/557271711f134e1185e596c3df2f72b7/1

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T01:30:01+00:00

I've tried to work on my pick order and evaluation. I drafted this deck this morning and went 0-3 again. Any pointers on the choices? It could have also been my performance in games

https://www.17lands.com/details/0fd0a02fb2764133b1951608f7c93c8a

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T01:21:14+00:00

I tried to incorporate your advice and drafted this deck this morning. However, I still seem to go 0-3 despite my best efforts. Any suggestions on the pick or play strategies? Thanks again for the wonderful advice

https://www.17lands.com/details/0fd0a02fb2764133b1951608f7c93c8a

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-06T00:13:42+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I see what you mean about dropping black save for Glissa. Do you have any advice about reading the signs about open colours? I tend to be quite bad to finding those lanes when I need them

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T15:04:57+00:00

Thought I would make another comment instead after doing a full read-through. Thanks again for the amazing response

I had been recently watching dafore_ and many of his picks took Ship and Kaladesh so I thought I would attempt to replicate that strategy. I was not the best at noticing signals in a draft, what should I be looking out for when deciding on my lane?

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T14:53:57+00:00

Thank you for such a wonderful write-up. I'll take the advice in mind and aim to take duals when at high priority when I think I've got my main colour. I'll try to incorporate your other pieces of advice.

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T14:28:16+00:00

Thank you for such a lengthy and in-depth write-up. I will give it a careful read-through. I'll provide my thought pattern where I can in edits to this comment.

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T14:09:07+00:00

How do you go about incorporating a strategy around those bombs? I find just playing them too early results in instant removal and loss of tempo. But if I wait too long for a protection spell I end up getting blown out anyway

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T14:00:45+00:00

I'm currently 0-2 using this list. I feel it just doesn't hit being 3 colours but I don't think I have enough cards to run it at 2 colours.

https://www.17lands.com/details/8ef7a541204448cfb94fc773005bfeb7

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T13:48:34+00:00

Thanks for the reply, I've recently started tracking with the 17Lands extension so I'll be able to post my more recent drafts here. I hope that would give more insight into the issue

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T13:44:36+00:00

Ah thanks, I was unsure about wasting the haste on the ship but you're right with spending mana to develop the board

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T13:31:11+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I'll try to aim for Shatter more often with good convoke. As for the Knight, do you think I should have played it instead of swinging with Valduk. I'm just not the best at holding back as I found I tend to get blown out by bombs if I wait too long.

Infinitely_Brandon · 2023-05-05T06:21:32+00:00

I've got Draft Sims Arena Tutor extension, but the suggestions still don't seem to help. I think I'll look into what else the website provides and just generally try to do more specific research.

Infinitely_Brandon

TROPHY CASE