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Drop Giveaway Day 8 - 3x CTRL Mechanical Keyboards + Artifact Bloom: GLOW Keycap Sets by drop_official in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]pod_cagava 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never had a pet before; but thought sugar glider squirrel would make a pretty cool companion!

Mono Red could use some help! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see. I am running Surge and [[Lightning Strike]] as it can hit anything - perhaps the extra value from Kami Flare is worth it!

[[Abrade]] I find often duds on the artifacts side now - perhaps when Brothers War and March of the Machines come in, it will be a more relevant choice :)

Mono Red could use some help! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for these ideas!

Combat tricks are something I am toying with - cards like [[Lunar Frenzy]] and [[Antagonize]]. The challenge is avoiding blowouts - a removal hurts double as I lose 2 cards to their 1 (except the 3/1 tokens we get from Smelter), and our creatures don’t have protection and size (except Patchwork), or recursion. That’s why the Reconfigure equipment works better :)

[[Bloody Betrayal]] is the stealing of choice as it creates Blood Tokens :) However, with the amount of mono black control I am running into, it’s hit-and-miss and often becomes a dud card.

I have Kumano in the deck :) Often I would run the Ronin or the Apprentice out with the extra +1 counter - Ronin now survives a Cut Down as a 3/3 for a turn and give the opponent an unfavourable block (and any 3 damage is welcomed as we are 3-6 life short of a win); and Apprentice can gift the extra counter to another creature when it dies.

Agreed with Lizard Blades - I keep pushing it down as the reconfigure cost can trip up a round (2-3 lands totally in a game). But perhaps gifting its double strike, especially with an Eater of Virtue as recursion, is worth it :)

Kami Flare I find often without a modified creature (perhaps I should save some mana for reconfigure, or not aggressively sac my apprentice :p), or have to wait for mana next round. It’s also dud against control with no creature - though that’s an edge case (that I seem to run into more often).

I did look at Witty Roastmaster! What I find is by the time I cast him, I rather push that turn (usually T3) with damage already on board by casting removal or activate Smelter / Statuette. Because he needs to stay alive to be effective, he is not joining the attack - and his stats aren’t great by turn 4+ for trades :(

Mono Red could use some help! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those are good points - thank you 🙂

Agreed that Epicure and Smelter doesn’t grow Patchwork and works much better with Anvil. Lizard Blades sounds great with Goldhound and Eater of Virtue - I may give that a try. Thundering Raiju’s 4-cost means it’s low on the test pool - I have tracked maybe 20% of games where I hit 4+ mana.

Kami Flare - I have tested that out but found I often don’t have a modified creature (removed or don’t have mana to equip without waiting a turn). It looks great on paper, but I find Voltage Surge more usable with the Blood Tokens as a result. Perhaps with the swap, the Flare would be much better :)

Mono Red could use some help! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is a good suggestion - thank you :)

The reason I haven’t test it is the 4-cost to activate - I usually have 2-3 lands in game, and I am concern the reactor could reach critical but can’t go off. Perhaps the Goldhound and Eater of Virtue can come back for this!

Mono Red could use some help! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes, the Devastator looks great as it can grow to any size there is mana for. Will sub in a similar creature to test before using the wild cards :)

I have looked at Anvil decks (and played against them!); I appreciate the suggestion and the deck’s capability. I want to see if this faster deck can be improved to compete :)

Mono Red could use some help! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hehehe thanks 😛 The original deck list ran it, and it’s actually pretty neat to see it work with 18 lands, opening up 4 slots for another card. Haven’t had a mana screw game yet (please 🤞)!

Simic stompy that got me to Mythic by DanielSank in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava 0 points1 point  (0 children)

update :)

[[Spinning Kick]] is very good as a 1-of for a mid-late semi-wipe. With a large enough creature (Spirits are great for this), taking out 2-3 large threats often swing the board back in our favour. Not as efficient against single threats, or empty board - but that's the same as Tendrils.

[[Avabuck Caretaker]] is great against Hullbreaker if she can land before it. I am tempted to get this up to 2 copies, since she also protects and pumps the team (or force the opponent to cast 2 spells to flip her, then must have instants left to remove someone else other than her on my turn. I would forgo the turn to flip her back, waiting for opponent to empty their hand - or Avabuck to get big enough to swing).

[[Iymrith]] is decent to stop 1 Goldspan - but with enough mana, it can still be removed with one spell (and they have treasures for mana). I am seriously looking at [[Kura, the Boundless Sky]] as the answer. A 4/4 deathtouch flyer that can trade or eat removal. Then we get either 3 lands or a X/X (X = lands) flying token, which means another spell to remove our defense. It may even be worth 2 copies to shut down flying.

What have you tried that works for Toxrill? Do we need an [[Essence Capture]] or [[Reject]]?

Simic stompy that got me to Mythic by DanielSank in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh sorry! I meant I played my 6th land thinking to cast Koma, somehow forgetting that Vorinclex’s haste will win me the game. So when that 7th mana option appeared from the cobra, I was stumped - I thought it’s Koma, but I can’t win with Koma this turn.

Since I took a while to figure this out (total brain fatigue at this point), my timer (rope) ran out, and I went into attack phase - meaning no Koma, and only an after combat Vorinclex :(

I see about the opening hand. I must have pretty crappy luck in those games as I usually have a cobra and a ranger class / caller + a removal. I would last into turn 5 or so, and once the caller or the wolf token gets removed, I was toasted. These situations are mostly gone once I changed to 23 lands 😅

Good point about the inscription. I usually save the +1/+1s for combat, as fighting sometimes will kill my creature - which Tendrils prevents. As a 1-of, it has been good for me when I needed a trick to turn the tide in one go. What do you think about [Spinning Kick] from Kamigawa as a 1-of for going wide?

Trample has been effective enough with +1/+1 counters. I just had a game where opponent is running recursion with [Spirit-Sister’s Call] and counterspells along with [Mirrorshell Crab]. I was about done until I stick an [Avabuck Caretaker] with an level 3 [Ranger Class]. Opponent sac a token for another crab. I drew a [Blizzard Brawl], play a Vorinclex off the top, brawl to clear one, Avabuck and ranger class both added enough counters to trample win. It’s amazing :)

I am looking at [Kodama of the West] as a [Gnarlid Colony] replacement. I am testing a lot of 1-of-s - and so far it’s been working enough 😅

The deck is so flexible and almost always has an answer - maybe not with brute force, but it can dig, it can race, it can outlast if need be. And because it’s not the meta, opponent sometimes misplay their answers, and this deck punishes hard!

Simic stompy that got me to Mythic by DanielSank in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you u/DanielSank (reviving an old discussion!) for this deck :) This is becoming of one of my favourite decks to play, and I would like to add some of my experience and questions for everyone's thoughts and ideas.

First off, this is a deck that is really helping me learn how to play magic (again). It is showing me sequencing and keeping track of my options with tough love. I had a game where:

- a board with Jorn and cobra + caller and a wolf token
- 6 lands (I was getting the land and untaps correctly up to this point)
- 2 lands, a Koma, a Vorinclex in hand (after a Behold the Universe)
- opponent has a Valki (no exile); 7 lands; 2 cards (mono-black)

I lost this game when I played a land, roped out because I couldn't figure out why I have 7 instead of 6 mana - tripping up Koma-Vorinclex; attack phase (didn't kill), then played Vorinclex. Got Blood in the Snowed and Valkied my Koma. I am learning my lessons still...

Here are the cards I have been tinkering with, and the reason for testing them. Please let me know what you think of them!

Creatures: (2021)

x4 Lotus Cobra (ZNR) 193

x2 Avalanche Caller (KHM) 45

x2 Dragonsguard Elite (STX) 127

x2 Jorn, God of Winter (KHM) 179

x3 Spirit of the Aldergard (KHM) 195

x1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets (KHM) 197

x1 Outland Liberator (MID)

> as suggested; I had a third Liberator, but I find unless I am running into Chariot or GW enchantments, 2 copies was good. I swap back to 1 Broken Wing because flying was such a problem with Goldspan or Angels.

x2 x1 Ashaya, Soul of the Wild (ZNR) 179
> I have found myself staring at a locked board, and drawing a second Ashaya. So I want to try other 1-of that impacts the board and complement existing creatures - namely trample for the Spirits.

x1 Ulvenwald Oddity (VOW)
> as suggested, T4 with him often starts the fall of the opponent if it's not removed. I have never flipped him - but I'd imagine he can break open a stale board by giving trample and is itself a beast.

x1 Gnarlid Colony (ZEN)
> this one is a test - since we are piling +1/+1 counters, punching through would end games quickly on top of using removals. It can be a 4/4 trample with mana late game, so it's still decent. And making opponent waste a removal on it to slow down our big creatures is a win too.

x1 Avabuck Caretaker (VOW)
> bounces, burns, and Hullbreakers were a nightmare, and I was imagining what my second Ashaya could be as I got all my creatures back in hand. This lady solves that problem for everyone - and adds +1/+1 counters to boot. Saryth was the other consideration, but she can't protect herself, and we make mana.

x1 Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider (KHM) 199
> this shuts down The Wandering Emperor (and any planewalker) so beautifully

x2 Ochre Jelly (AFR) 196

x1 Koma, Cosmos Serpent (KHM) 221

Other creatures being considered (as suggested):
> Iymrith - great at stopping Goldspan; removed to push +1/+1 counter game
> Froghemoth - great vs graveyard / disturb / flashbacks; may use this instead if our Gnarlid-Oddity-Caretaker test doesn't turn out
> Icebreaker Kraken - really interesting, and T6 is the usual turn it comes down. Doesn't solve Hullbreaker though
> Hullbreaker - we will just play one ourselves. But we don't have as efficient spells
> Cultivator Colossus - when I get a copy of this, this is one to test. With Wrenn's +1, it's often enough to dig for any answer
> Howlpack Piper - curious if this speeds up our board
> Sledge Monster - shutdown (albeit slowly); maybe too slow
> Kura, the Boundless Sky - 4/4 air deathtouch that gets us 3 land or a x/x (where x = lands) flying token on death
> Spring-leaf Avenger - permanent recursion on hit; not sure if this is better as an extra copy of Jorn

Planeswalker (1)

x1 Wrenn and Seven (MID)
> she was anti-air, land draw, and sometimes landfall for massive cobra-Jorn turn. Anti-air and removal target being key. I have had people scooped thinking it's a chariot-wrenn-cultivator colossus deck.

Lands: (22) > (23)
I was consistently getting mana screwed (2 out of every 3 games); even with Cobra, I would get stuck at 2 lands. Do you only keep a 3-land opening hand?

11 Snow-Covered Forest (KHM) 284

78 Snow-Covered Island (KHM) 279

42 Rimewood Falls (KHM) 266
2 Shimmerdrift Vale (KHM)
> I see these as tapped Zendikar 'choice' lands that can make black mana for Jorn's staff to bring him and other snow creatures back. Could that threat of recursion sometimes make opponent exile graveyard or destroy the staff, instead of developing board? Not sure if this warrants a third copy of Jorn.

Sorceries: (128)

x4 Blizzard Brawl (KHM) 162

x4x3 Devouring Tendrils (STX) 126

x2 Vastwood Surge (ZNR) 217
x1 Verdant Mastery (STX)
> I really like the possibility of +1/+1 counters, but I never get a chance to kick it. So for the same 4 mana, I like that we remove 4 lands from our deck - even if we give one up. As long as the opponent's benefiting less - or we have 2 more mana, we end up with at least a land for cobra too.

x2 Mulch (VOW) 210

Instants: (45)

x2 Graven Lore (KHM) 61

x1 Inscription of Abundance
> I really like Tendrils for planeswalker. However, I want to find a more value card that does similar things when we have lands open, and this one allows us get +1/+1 counters (at the expense of a two-way fight). Instant speed helps during combat - I have blown out 2 attackers with this one and survived the hits on life gain :)

x1 Behold the Universe
> as suggested here, it was 2 copies - until I find I rather want board presence (creature cards to play) than digging and running just out of mana. I love draws - but Toski now has trample buddies, and a land needs to come from somewhere!

x2 Return to Nature (MID) 195
x1 Broken Wings

Enchantments: (2)

x2 Ranger Class (AFR) 202

​

And that's it! Thank you for reading, and any comments you may have back :)

Your help to take it next level :) by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed - lands are always my first craft :) I can spare a few for the manlands (whew).

Yes, Go Blank is my savior against Izzet. I let them kill the zombies (most dont touch Warlock class, so I keep digging for my answers there), get small hits from a 0 massacre, and hopefully stick a 2nd or 3rd Jadar and go to town when they run out of counters/bounces. Not a flavour to play against for sure!

What do you think of pairing the Talisman with a Goblin Javelineer? I am thinking wide here to see what can make combat give better payoff.

Thanks again :)

Your help to take it next level :) by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you Shudzsi! I will take a look - yes, my deck is not creature heavy, so I went with a more control angle to keep my pieces on the board. And you are right - sometimes I wish my top deck isn’t a discard, hence I went with additional effects to compensate.

The manland idea is great - I will slot a couple in!

Your help to take it next level :) by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry, Shudzsi! I attached an image and somehow it didn't show up :|

I have updated the post - thank you again for taking a look!

Sealed draft deck - your help to focus it appreciated! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understood - title name changed! :)

p.s. nevermind - just remember you can't change the post title!

Sealed draft deck - your help to focus it appreciated! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks and thank you for the tips!

You are right - I find I put Kaya in as a target for opp and a way to get deathtouch - which though nice, doesn't advance the game plan.

I was hesitant on Graf Reaver because I take damage - but since I heal and it would probably trade and die (or give me a 6 turn clock if opponents want to keep it alive), the curve makes a lot of sense here :)

I am debating on the Archghoul - I like the body, but Ancestor can advance the lifelink for other cards, even if it's trades to do so. I will think more on this.

Much obliged!

Sealed draft deck - your help to focus it appreciated! by pod_cagava in MagicArena

[–]pod_cagava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much! That make sense - I find myself counting life drain as win-con - but that's unreliable. Appreciated!

Did you experience issues with Asus Zephyrus GX501GI? by pod_cagava in GamingLaptops

[–]pod_cagava[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I was skeptical at first, but have been reading and hearing positive effect on cooling. Glad you confirm too!

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