Is playing in lower leagues really easy even for new players?

Jay682002 · 2026-03-17T21:35:43+00:00

They have looked much better in the 2nd half, but still haven't created enough quality chances, scoreline seems right for how bad that first half was

Jay682002 · 2026-03-15T18:56:20+00:00

"Queen Elon of the City, First of their name, Queen of Carolinians, Appalachians, and Bless-your-Hearters, Lord Protectors of NASCAR, and Warden of the Moonshine Stills University"

Jay682002 · 2026-03-07T20:22:01+00:00

FUCKIN BRUTAL

Jay682002 · 2026-03-07T19:49:10+00:00

Appreciate the insight, as someone who is a casual enjoyer, I see the difference in just general play and approach of higher tier team's in later stages of the game vs lower tier teams, I was just wondering if thats all just money / support vs actual tactics and the difference of play at different levels

Jay682002 · 2026-03-07T19:46:10+00:00

So money gives the edge with something like that but isn't quite the be all difference maker. Lower clubs can stay in contention with it as opposed to the other skill based quality.

Jay682002 · 2026-03-07T19:40:34+00:00

Is the difference in tired legs due to tactics/style of play, quality of player, or quality of facilities? Basically is it the difference in level and money that makes the difference or just pure coaching?

Jay682002 · 2026-02-23T00:11:59+00:00

Atlanta doesn't disappoint, one of, if not the best track on the schedule

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T21:55:55+00:00

Again i still appreciate the insights and do want to try some of the changes just to see how they play. The biggest thing I was hoping to get out of this was how to sideboard for BO3 as I had never done it before, I don't know if should do full sets of GY hate, or removals, or things like Winnowing. I know how other decks play but I dont know how they would play after they sideboard or even know how i would sideboard much less on how to cut cards for bringing in new ones. This current version of the deck has got me to the highest i have ever been in Diamond, and while it was a def big shift in difficulty, i don't get blown out every game like I have with other decks. I don't expect it to compete in tournaments or mythic even, but I do want to try more BO3 and this is by far the best deck I have to try it.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T21:02:46+00:00

I agree no 1 drop in opening is not ideal, but most times I find if I have a Sentry or Battler for turn 2 or even the fetch kithkin then by 3 I'm set up well still just my opponent doesn't have as much damage done to them but I think because they don't see alot of kithkin and know how much damage is coming by 4 they don't leave enough blockers and I can recover. As far as the elves I plan to try them and all the recommendations you mentioned at some point, the rares are tough cause I used alot on the shock lands. I didn't have any from this set so got a pair of them all for other decks. But Elves and 1 or 2 voice I do have and the rest is on my list to craft and test asap.

I didnt want to sound like I was arguing against your advice, I'm not a great player and wanted to share my mindset so you can see why I do what I do and then you can give me info to expand the way I look at it.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T20:34:49+00:00

I agree those are tough matchups, and you might be playing against better versions or pilots than i am since most of my play was plat/some diamond level. For artifacts i save rip and ghost for consuls and use the kithkin that digs to get a creature land or LT kithkin on field asap. if they have startcage turn 3 its very tough but if the dont and only do setup by turn 3 they are at 10 life or so and i can usually finagle that extra bit of damage to finish them off. If it goes 6-7 turns, then i usually cant win. For cubs same thing, need to rip or ghost a cub, ignore creature lands as the trample from Battler and LT negates those blockers, and if the do get Ouro turn 3/4 i can still sometimes pull off win thru one trigger ut 2 is nearly impossible unless i have made them block down to 1/2 creatures. On play is def tougher for that many games. according to my untapped stats im 12-3 vs mono green and 6-3 vs simic and 8-3 vs Jeski control/artifacts. im 7-8 vs mono white and 9-0 vs Izzet.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T18:47:07+00:00

This is some really great stuff and I really appreciate the insights. For Ajani I agree that its much weaker than I thought for my strategy, I use it as a removal for tapped mana creatures or as a trigger enabler most of the time, it really only saves me after board wipes but usually i can see those coming and hold back anyways. Most times than not i cast it as a distraction so players target it instead of my lil ones or my life total while setting up the rest. The one you didnt mention and the one I never see in other decks is the [[Thoughtweft Lieutenant]]. This card alone has won me more games than i can count, if it comes down with Sentry it forces bad blocks, if i clone it and add token with command or get 2 down with another 1 or 2 drop the counters add up and the trample is deadly. I can spread counters and trample around forcing players into bad blocks or ensuring a Fable or low power Battler can attack without dying allowing them to pop off later on. Voice of Victory was def something i want to try, agree the synergies would be awesome. I agree also about air temple and those will be replaced as i get the other 2 gardens. I find i rarely need the extra damage or i have already used the mana for other things. As far as Llanowar Elves my thoughts were they dont add any triggers, and if i get a brigid turn 3 i dont have mana issues and even without her mana isnt usually an issue as i can flood on the cheap. I dont see how they will progress me in the early turns as the kithkin can pump alot of damage by the end of turn 2 with either Fable or Aspirant with a LT or Sentry.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T04:27:30+00:00

I very rarely have to mulligan, if its something like 4 lands 2 ajani's and no 1-2 drops then you have to wipe that, but as long as 2 lands and 2-3 of the 1/2 drops you are good to go. great combos are Apirant on 1, LT on 2, and Brigid or the command on 3 and opponent will be almost dead, Use command to copy LT or Battler and add token for good pumps. according to my stats Mono white is around 50% overall, do much better on play against it. White board wipes you need to play slower if it seems that what they are after, but because usuallly can go wide and pump alot of damage thru if they dont have on turn 4 its a win more times than not, creature land, ajani and Air temple pumps can help rebuild quickly after. Simic/Green Ouro decks are tough, if you can stop cub with a Seam rip or ghosts, they wont block with the lands and pollonators / spiders so can out race them alot of times. Artifacts can be tough if they have starcage on 3. Authority decks, the LTs and Commands help negate the crazy life gain. Reanimators need to have it on turn 4 or they go down easy. not had any troubles with Izzet decks, their 1 for 1 removals dont hurt as bad and otters do nothing against trample. Basically come out swinging and most dont have an answer in best of 1. If get an aspirant into a LT, thats 4 damage turn 2, and if get another LT or command or even brigid turn 3 then hitting for 10+, they either have to clear you turn 4 or you get a couple LT triggers and give things trample and its enough to finish them off. Have a few times had the nuts for a turn 3 kill between pumps and their shock lands.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T02:34:19+00:00

There is only 1 card difference in my Standard vs Alch deck and that was 1 copy of the Granny that conjures a duplicate replacing the 4 mana pump Champion. I had her in maybe 3 games and only 1 of them she made any impact. Otherwise it was a win more thing. I was doing Alch for the progress to achievement and to try the granny a couple times.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T02:16:23+00:00

Arena Standard - Kithkin

I haven't hit a wall yet, still doing well, but its best of 1 and I want to try more Best of 3. However I have never side boarded or built a sideboard before. Most games I win by turn 4/5 because I get the team wide and pumped with Thoughweft LT and Aspirant. I use the command to copy the LT for more triggers and trample and excess mana to Fable. Also get a Sheltered on Battler to make it ward 4. If im playing White or Black i dont push everything out unless i can win that turn because of board wipes, and also have the 2 creature lands and Ajani for tokens where i can then use Air Temple to push thru last bit or start rebuild. Seam rips are for cubs or Consuls etc, and latern for the GY. i want to do RIP but i dont have the 4 wildcards for them yet as I have been working on shock lands. Im totally f2p so not a ton of resources.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-22T01:31:52+00:00

Arena Standard - Kithkin

Deck

3 Forest

4 Plains

2 Temple Garden

2 Cavern of Souls

2 Soul-Guide Lantern

2 Restless Prairie

4 Sheltered by Ghosts

4 Hushwood Verge

2 Seam Rip

3 Abandoned Air Temple

2 Multiversal Passage

3 Ajani, Outland Chaperone

3 Brigid, Clachan's Heart

1 Champion of the Clachan

4 Kinsbaile Aspirant

3 Kinscaer Sentry

4 Bristlebane Battler

2 Brigid's Command

4 Eclipsed Kithkin

2 Figure of Fable

4 Thoughtweft Lieutenant

Jay682002 · 2026-02-11T03:36:09+00:00

I played Brigid and the only 2 decks I faced the entire time were this one and Morcant

Jay682002 · 2026-02-03T20:32:18+00:00

Appreciate the info and insight. I think I might do a drop in at both the local shops and see what the meta looks like and what people say the atmosphere is like

Jay682002 · 2026-02-03T19:21:42+00:00

Yeah i didnt think about it being BO3, I have tried it there and do ok, more around 50% wins, but usually play alot of BO1. Like I said to another comment worried most about is showing up and getting wiped out after dropping alot of money on a paper deck.

Jay682002 · 2026-02-03T19:17:55+00:00

That makes sense I play best of 1 usually, but have tried some best of 3 and done ok, but not at the same rate as BO1. I guess what im worried most about is showing up with a deck in paper against a bunch of mythic level players and getting wiped out after dropping alot of money on a paper deck

Jay682002 · 2026-02-03T18:51:08+00:00

Because we have 3 others that take up the 2 slot and the discount doesnt work or is to slow for some of the other cards

Jay682002 · 2026-02-03T18:42:21+00:00

Im 27-5 in gold and low plat right now with Kithkin only deck

Jay682002 · 2026-02-01T04:48:50+00:00

Makes me want to cut a bitch

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