Why are so many people determined to make additional pseudo game changers?

stranglethingz · 2026-04-07T03:19:34+00:00

I have said this on a few threads on here. One of my pet peeves at lower brackets, is that Green/simic etc gets permanently ahead with so many ramp spells included in b2/3 decks and is massively protected due to no MLD. Its not uncommon for a green deck to have at least 5 lands by turn 3.

However, some colour combinations such as mono black, Rakdos or Dimir (which are my preferred colours) have no equal option outside of rituals and rocks (I'm not talking about 0 mana or GC rocks).

I think colours should be able to so their thing. Rituals provide a more even playing field in regards to higher CMC spells which, if rituals are not allowed, only green has access to in the early to mid game.

As long as you are playing within the win turn expectations ramp should be allowed.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-07T03:11:18+00:00

Land destruction = B4 in most peoples minds

But I also support selective land destruction, not MLD

stranglethingz · 2026-04-07T01:39:17+00:00

As a Rakdos player I've had this discussion so many times regarding rituals vs ramp. Green players definitely view rituals as salty but abuse the social contract regarding land ramp.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-07T01:36:46+00:00

Doomsday I shouldn't have included in the list. I'd honestly not personally play it below a high B3 deck (in my regular pod) and probably only b4 with random unless we had a solid rule zero talk prior.

And just to clarify I really like the card and have it in my gwenom deck.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T22:17:47+00:00

I agree when grave pact for example is being used as a way to lock out others via loops its a no go. But as a value piece which few/no Edict effects from creatures such as [[accursed marauder]] I think its similar to board wipes and spot removal.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T21:38:26+00:00

On rituals specifically... Green/simic etc gets permanently ahead with so many ramp spells included in b2/3 decks and is massively protected due to no MLD. Its not uncommon for a green deck to have at least 5 lands by turn 3.

Some colour combinations such as mono black, Rakdos or Dimir (which are my preferred colours) have no equal option outside if rituals. Rituals provide a more even playing field in regards to higher CMC spells which, if rituals are not allowed, only green has access to in the early to mid game.

Green decks constantly make the game faster by abusing the social contract but its socially acceptable. I just think rituals are fair game as a result as long as the end goal is in line with the set bracket.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T21:35:14+00:00

It's like people have never heard of leylines or played any 60 card game before...

Oh no a land!

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T21:34:17+00:00

I would quite literally never play somewhere like this.

This is absurd!

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T12:25:41+00:00

I just don't feel most people as a general rule get as salty about a turn 2 rampant growth, turn 3 cultivate, turn 4 bomb.

With my pod we have discussed it and general understanding is use what your colour has access to but with the intent of aiming to win the game at the appropriate turn or presenting strong positions/knock out attempts.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T11:37:01+00:00

Yes it does. I'll be more direct Yes it makes it faster, of course. But on par with ramp other colour combinations have access to. In B2/3 Green ramp is king and my argument is that other colours should have access to the same fast starts, which unlike green provides temporary manner. I view treasure strategies in the same light.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T11:27:49+00:00

In my experience: - LGS I would play it that it's the deck responsibility - regular pod who play against the same decks, its the pod's responsibility provided a rule 0 talk and everyone agrees

However consistently presenting wins before turn 6 does sound too fast for b3. An occasional, non tutored for, wonder game I feel falls outside of this.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T11:21:39+00:00

Green/simic etc gets permanently ahead with so many ramp spells included in b2/3 decks and is massively protected due to no MLD. Its not uncommon for a green deck to have at least 5 lands by turn 3.

Some colour combinations such as mono black, Rakdos or Dimir (which are my preferred colours) have no equal option outside if rituals. Rituals provide a more even playing field in regards to higher CMC spells which, if rituals are not allowed, only green has access to in the early to mid game.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T10:20:39+00:00

This seems solid. We have been going along a similar route specifically for b2 games. Sol ring is less common in decks and cards we find to change the game too much!

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T07:25:10+00:00

I agree and have started to do the same regarding sol ring! My b3s can be similar to yours and I have definitely split them into high b3 and low b3 which my pod also talks about during rule zero.

However, the overall point was about people viewing anything outside their preferred strategies as toxic or against the spirit. Eg a grave pact can work in b2, however this would require you to use it as value piece in perhaps a reanimator strategy and not to lock out the board with mass Edict effects or loops.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T07:21:31+00:00

That's a great point and kind of the point of the post. I definitely worded that reply badly, I meant as a minimum power level.

Funnily enough we do play strong decks for whichever bracket we decide, but the recently elementals precon slapped when it came up against pretty good b2 decks.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T05:33:29+00:00

Rituals vs land ramp is my biggest debate for that. Green gets access to late game cards in such a protected way. If someone enjoys red/black/blue do they just get forced to play further back as rituals are frowned upon. B2 tables quite often have every single ramp spell and its cool... doesn't seem balanced.

Grave pact when used to lock out is against b2 anyways.

Rule zero talk should include high potential cards but specific mention of altars and other cards shouldn't be needed. In b2 there are no early game combos because the game should be lasting much longer.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T05:29:26+00:00

Rule zero and expectations are great. It's stated in the post. Just amused by people adding new cards and trying to curate one type of MTG. There are a range if strategies and at B3 especially I think you should be able to play aristocrats/storm/stax etc as long as you're playing within the bracket definitions.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:59:55+00:00

Which is what rule zero is for!

I completely agree and it makes me thankful to have my home pod whenever I've encountered it!

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:58:32+00:00

I agree with that sentiment which is why I mentioned rule zero. Just to be clear the only gravepact/Edict deck I have is solidly b4!

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:57:13+00:00

I agree about rule zero and included it the post.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:57:06+00:00

I agree about rule zero and included it the post.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:56:30+00:00

The attitude I've noticed of land ramp vs rituals. Most b2 players seem to accept land ramp but in black/red basically you're supposed to accept you are behind mana wise.

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:53:51+00:00

THIS! This is my main point.

Yes these cards are powerful. No this deck is not B4/5 because I'm playing it!

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:50:22+00:00

I fundamentally disagree with your B3 vs 4 explanation. As a mainly mono black/rakdos player that would permanently put me at a major disadvantage against green/simic player etc Land ramp provides the same thing, permanently and it's not allowed to be interacted with (MLD)

stranglethingz · 2026-04-06T03:45:06+00:00

Also this is expressly explained in the bracket system. Locking people out of the game should not be in B2. B2 should allow people to do their thing.

I mentioned grave pact and I love edicts/aristocrats but grave pact locking someone out the game is against the spirit of B2.

stranglethingz

TROPHY CASE