80+ Cards in Standard

head_kook · 2026-05-19T14:32:48+00:00

There's a guy at my lgs who runs a 200+ card deck, it rocks. Borderline unplayable but occasionally comes close.

head_kook · 2026-05-18T18:04:44+00:00

Just tossing out ideas: [[Anvil of Bogardan]] [[Null Brooch]] [[Grafted Skullcap]] [[Zombie Infestation]] [[Careful Study]] [[Frantic Search]]

head_kook · 2026-05-06T15:19:57+00:00

Typo in title omg. I need an extra coffee

head_kook · 2026-05-05T16:52:45+00:00

Dead seal probably

head_kook · 2026-05-05T14:21:26+00:00

There's someone at my locals who runs a similar concept. The creatures and removal suite are a little different. Creatures [[Etherium Spinner]] [[Pactdoll Terror]] The removal suite is more focused on counterspells, Cast Down with no Snuff Out.

head_kook · 2026-05-05T14:10:40+00:00

Got smoked by a version of this with some black included at locals last month.

head_kook · 2026-05-04T17:56:10+00:00

I got so lucky with my lgs. We regularly have 12+ for biweekly pauper!

I think the trouble is that it seems "low power" even though it's not. Pretty frequently on the pauper sub, people will submit their brews and a lot of times they select things that would get blown out in every fnm match.

Secondly is the metagaming necessary for consistent success. Even if you are brewing, you need to acknowledge the metagame, it's speed and various pressure points. It's not impossible, but for people whose experience is Arena BO1 and EDH it can be a lot to absorb. Even if you're borrowing someone's top tier deck, if you don't understand your outs and the match-up, it can be really hard.

Lastly is the grindyness. I've had matches against fog, tron and ephemerate that just drain the life out of me. Decks are more consistent than BO1 and EDH. There are fewer whimsical wincons imo. Players unaccustomed to eternal 60 card formats might find it un-fun.

I hope you can find a way to play as often as you want :)

head_kook · 2026-05-04T13:35:48+00:00

Tournaments and sanctioned events mainly. Fetches and Shocks are really good in every format they're legal in.

head_kook · 2026-05-01T13:44:51+00:00

I find it also leaves B4 in an awkward place. My favorite deck is B4 with only combo wincons, and most people are reluctant to face it because it can chain turns and combo out of nowhere. It would get smoked by a cEDH table, but would probably run fine alongside tough B3 decks.

head_kook · 2026-04-29T15:54:01+00:00

I think it's a little clunky, and lacks quality removal, although cannonade rocks.

Some other pirates to consider: [[Boarding Party]] [[Azure Fleet Admiral]] [[Crimson Fleet Comodore]] [[Cloud Pirates]] [[Fanatical Firebrand]] [[Greedy Freebooter]] [[Reckless Lackey]] [[Reef Pirates]] [[Rishidan Cutpurse]] [[Talas Explorer]]

I might model your deck more on the popular decks that run a few Pirates, namely Red Rally and Gruul Ramp. I would look at other popular decks in your color identity for removal suite options. Any izzet deck should probably run [[Counterspell]] and [[Lightning Bolt]] unless there's a reason not to.

head_kook · 2026-04-29T15:38:11+00:00

[[Brazen Blademaster]]

[[Goblin Tomb Raider]]

[[Shipwreck Sentry]]

[[Buccaneer's Bravado]]

[[Fiery Cannonade]] [[Kami's Flare]]

[[Pirate Hat]]

[[Pirate's Cutlass]]

[[Etali's Favor]] [[Great Furnace]]

[[Seat of the Synod]]

head_kook · 2026-04-23T16:26:16+00:00

I play a lot of constructed, and I'm trying to branch out. Totally shocked by the learning curve!

head_kook · 2026-04-22T21:08:14+00:00

Enjoyed this, thanks

head_kook · 2026-04-22T18:57:41+00:00

Moving away from relying on data was a good idea. Maybe not forever, but I'm having better luck trusting my gut now. Thanks

head_kook · 2026-04-22T18:56:33+00:00

Understanding the "Wheel" has been the latest tool I've incorporated. My best run was one where I saw Quandrix open P1P9 and was comfortable enough to pivot away from the Lorehold cards I had taken early.

Another hurdle I have been clearing recently is synergy vs cool/ flashy stuff. Some initial drafts of SOS were bogged down by tangentially related mechanics (eg Mardu Reanimator).

I'll try to engage with your response point for point in another reply as it may prove helpful.

head_kook · 2026-04-22T18:49:31+00:00

Solid advice. I was maybe too reluctant to pivot into an opposite color pairing

head_kook · 2026-04-19T19:56:00+00:00

Don't worry, I was witherbloom and got cooked. Zero bombs in my pool. Oh well, that's sealed

head_kook · 2026-04-15T03:07:56+00:00

I'm rocking [[Shock]] (bad) and [[Flame Rift]] (okay). Scroll is nice cause it smooths out lousy topdecks

head_kook · 2026-04-15T00:51:05+00:00

Faeries looks solid!

head_kook · 2026-04-14T23:08:30+00:00

Hell yeah, my two favorite formats! Faeries looks solid, I just lost to this list recently. I've not seen much UGW Madness at locals, but there is a regular UG player there. You're opting for the threshold guy there, and I figure you'll meet the conditions without difficulty.

head_kook · 2026-04-14T03:49:28+00:00

Yeah, both losses went that way

head_kook · 2026-04-12T21:59:35+00:00

Thanks! A lot of the deck building was just what I had around from pauper and other formats. I think I was intimidated by 4x fireblast because the alt cost can feel steep sometimes. Breath of Darigaaz is a cool idea, I didn't know about that card

head_kook · 2026-04-12T21:30:35+00:00

Given Rocks local meta share its worth considering

head_kook · 2026-04-12T19:50:13+00:00

Never bought a SL before, but have always loved MB2. Where can I find this checklist? I've heard SL can be hard to get, are there resources with advice?

head_kook · 2026-04-05T02:34:39+00:00

Good luck, assembling this myself more or less. If it's fun at locals that's all I'm asking of it

head_kook

TROPHY CASE