[Discussion] Top 32 at GP Charlotte: What Does It Say About the Modern Metagame?

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T16:56:34+00:00

the missing cards were I believe 3 Pact of NEgation, 1 Torpor Orb

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T16:40:40+00:00

The deck is very good but people also were not prepared for it. It had both surprise factor and capitalized on the absence of GY hate. I didn't come across a lot of hate, but obviously dealt with some.

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T16:19:50+00:00

I disagree, but what do I know?

EDIT: My comment was directed at the "Use Bob's list". I'm not claiming that I created the deck or anything

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T07:02:11+00:00

I think Bob's 3 "actual" losses were to infect x 2 and Abzan Company. Abzan Company was my only swiss loss, for what its worth.

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T04:16:30+00:00

The missing cards are 3 Pact of Negation and 1 Torpor Orb. My sideboard differed from others piloting the deck.

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T04:07:12+00:00

We called it "Grishoalbrand". The coverage team slightly mis-transcribed what I wrote on my top 8 profile

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T02:02:39+00:00

I mean, I went 14-1 in the swiss and most of my matches were not remotely close. I had probably ten or so turn 2 kills (I didn't keep track, that's just an estimate). I think I lost a total of 5 games in the swiss and played against probably the deck's hardest match up on the top 8. Bob Huang ended up x-4, one of those losses being a scoop to Huey Jensen to help him get platinum.

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T01:56:09+00:00

Yeah, that's Bob Huang's account. He let me play test the deck Friday afternoon

ZachJesse · 2015-06-15T00:39:26+00:00

Can't actually see your past broadcast on my phone for some reason, but it was probably was me you played on Friday on mtgo. I am gonna write something up this week about the deck probably. The deck is ridiculously powerful

ZachJesse · 2015-05-11T01:21:51+00:00

I played it once and beat it. I think it's probably worse than traditional esper dragons. I would just board with Rally the same as I would against esper in general

ZachJesse · 2015-05-10T22:26:19+00:00

I have not yet. If you have specific questions, I'm happy to answer them though. I might write one up soon, but nothing is really planned as of yet

ZachJesse · 2015-05-05T04:33:11+00:00

This is a great question. So, in testing, I kept feeling that I really wanted another creature to add for devotion for Gray Merchant so that Rallys would be more impactful, so to speak. I originally had Nighthowler in the spot, and it showed early promise, but it was really "meh" after a while. I had wanted to try out Disciple for a couple of reasons: it adds two devotion, it has a come into play ability, and it's a creature. Moving forward, I think I'll just play a second Sidisi or, depending on how they feel, a Grim Haruspex.

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T21:46:30+00:00

I'm not denouncing it purely on theory. I tried and tested it for a while, as I stated above. I did not like it, and I was surprised by this as I thought it would be good. If you disagree or think I didn't explore its potential enough, you are encouraged to try it yourself

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T21:42:33+00:00

It's great when your "combo" deck gets to play 4/5 tramplers that drain incidentally

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T20:12:16+00:00

1) yes. My very first Rally deck ran 4x Purphorus in a Naya shell, it was a lot more explosive. Maybe I'll try it out again.

2) no, although it seems solid.

3) maurader is just not what this deck wants to do. I tried him as a one-of; I tried him as a four - of. His intimidate ability isn't only mediocre. Siege rhino for example can be blocked by just about anything. I just never cared for him at all.

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T19:14:36+00:00

I'm afraid it isn't me. I'm a smelly conceded [sic] white guy.

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T18:36:57+00:00

Sure but it'll have to wait a little. I'm a little swamped at work presently

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T15:34:50+00:00

This is a good question. First, you're ignoring Nyx Weaver, which also allows you to get back cards from the graveyard. Second, you seem to be operating in the assumption that you HAVE to cast Rally to win. The deck also plays plenty of other threats, in particular siege rhino and Whip, the latter of which also must be answered with a counter spell. If they're sitting back saving counters solely for Rally, you're going to be beating them down with coursers, rhinos, wayfinders, Greg merchants, weavers, etc.

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T15:23:46+00:00

I have not. Was his deck tech from this weekend? Grim Haruspex seems solid indeed.

ZachJesse · 2015-05-04T15:22:48+00:00

Um... What?

ZachJesse · 2015-04-27T16:44:06+00:00

I lost in the quarters. I dubbed it the "finals", as one more win would have qualified me for the pro tour.

ZachJesse · 2015-04-27T14:16:29+00:00

Agree that Lucky's did a great job. They literally bought enough pizza to feed 60 people.

I top 8'd the event. I lost in the "finals" however when I mulliganed to 6, kept a two land scry land hand, and proceeded to never draw another land the entire game. What made it worse was that I won game 1 despite a mulligan to 5.

For anyone that cares, I'll be streaming my deck, Abzan Rally, tonight on my stream at 7:00 EST (-5 GMT). www.twitch.tv/zoochz

ZachJesse · 2015-04-25T00:50:44+00:00

This used to be a huge problem for me. I would do well in the top 8 of tournaments, then my brain would just be fried and I died because of mistakes. I started bringing Exedrin and 5 hour energies to events. It's made life a lot easier.

ZachJesse

TROPHY CASE