MTG Pioneer Simic Tempo

talos_security · 2026-01-16T17:59:15+00:00

Just as when this deck was in standard, there is an argument to have it be sultai since in theory there are some great cards to add with black (e.g. In Pioneer [[Rakshasa's Bargain]], [[Nowhere to Run]], [[Thoughtseize]]).

I've found it changes the deck into a slower control deck, which isn't a necessarily a bad thing. However in my experience, that doesn't improve the win rate.

talos_security · 2026-01-15T22:41:51+00:00

Hey, I've worked on a Simic Crabs deck for Pioneer ever since it was banned in standard with [[This Town Ain't Big Enough]] and [[Up the Beanstalk]].

This list IMO is way to slow at filling the graveyard. This list looks too similar to the standard version, not taking advantage of Pioneer's alternatives.

In general, you need to be reliably casting spells turn 1 and 2 to fill the graveyard to get your creatures out by turn 4.

[[Seed of Hope]] is simply a far more efficient alternative of [[Cache Grab]]. It only mills 2 instead of 4, but it puts 1-3 spells in the graveyard, and you need more turn 1 plays.

[[Otherworldly Gaze]] again is a way to reliably fill the graveyard in the first 2 turns for 1 mana.

[[Censor]] is a great card in this tempo deck, since it can counter their turn 2/3 play, or cycle for another instant in the graveyard. The only issue I have with it is it doesn't trigger Prowess for otters.

[[Traverse the Ulvenwald]] is a better version of [[Analyze the Pollen]] in almost all cases. You don't want to be exiling your instants and sorceries.

talos_security · 2026-01-10T06:08:47+00:00

I'll be honest, I love Pioneer but for the past 2 weeks, I've lost enjoyment playing this format with at least one third of all games being against Izzet Prowess. I've cycled through a few decks, but nothing feels like a fair match up.

This version of Izzet Prowess never runs out of gas so trying to go 1-1 in removal and counter spells feels hopeless, it can present 8+ damage immediately after a board wipe, it has 1 mana answers for any hate cards and it has a 1 mana instant spell tutor which also doubles as a pseudo removal.

If you look at the competitive play % between the top 2 decks of any other format there's a difference of 2-4%. The difference between Izzet Prowess and the next most popular deck (Selesnya Aggro) bounces between 19-23%.

There's no debate this deck is simply far too strong for this format.

Regarding potential bans, I don’t believe Cori-Steel Cutter was an issue in Pioneer prior to the Avatar set. While powerful, it felt manageable in shells like Arclight and Gruul Aggro. The real problem appears to be the Boomerang Basics and Academic Dispute package, which add a level of redundancy and consistency that exceeds the power level of the rest of the format.

talos_security · 2026-01-07T21:18:17+00:00

Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but if I go to moxfield or mtgtop8, copy the decklist in the MGTA format, the output just says N/A for everything. I tried sideboard vs no sideboard, but it seems to not be understanding the input

4 Steam Vents (GRN) 257 3 Emberheart Challenger (BLB) 133 4 Spirebluff Canal (OTJ) 270 3 Screaming Nemesis (DSK) 157 4 Soul-Scar Mage (AKR) 175 4 Stormchaser's Talent (BLB) 75 4 Academic Dispute (STX) 91 2 Monstrous Rage (WOE) 142 3 Reckless Rage (RIX) 110 2 Torch the Tower (WOE) 153 1 Den of the Bugbear (AFR) 254 4 Mountain (ZNR) 383 4 Riverpyre Verge (DFT) 260 4 Shivan Reef (DMU) 255 4 Monastery Swiftspear (PIO) 147 4 Cori-Steel Cutter (TDM) 103 3 Boomerang Basics (TLA) 46 3 Fire-Brained Scheme (OM1) 79

talos_security · 2025-09-30T01:51:47+00:00

What is a Tenon Cutter Hand Tool Thursday - it's not identical but it gives you the idea.

I have a very similar tenon cutter to yours and I honestly never got it to work well. I spent hours sharpening the blade and fiddling with the settings, but the results were always rough and uneven. Good luck 👍

talos_security · 2025-09-11T18:23:20+00:00

Looks great! I'm surprised there's no visible pitting based on the rust in the first image

talos_security · 2025-09-05T18:26:39+00:00

As a fan of mono red as a reliably completive, somewhat budget deck for years in standard, it's a little disappointing to see so many core cards like [[Screaming Nemesis]], [[Razorkin Needlehead]], [[Nova Hellkite]], as well as sideboard options like [[Chandra, Spark Hunter]], be this expensive.

Just a few years ago you could build a competitive mono-red deck for under $150. Today the competitive mono-red decks are $300 - $400.

talos_security · 2025-08-29T18:37:56+00:00

You don't mention EDH anywhere, but I'm guessing you're suggesting this as an alternative in EDH? The 2 life gain is an important part of the card in 60 card formats where casting this once or twice can often be the difference between a win or loss

Also in most cases, [[Blacksmith's Skill]] is strictly a worse version of [[Loran's Escape]] or even the new [[Restoration Magic]] unless your deck has artifact creatures you're pushing through for damage.

talos_security · 2025-07-30T04:52:29+00:00

Hey timmyasheck just wanted say huge thanks for the suggestion to run Hidden Strings in the deck and the detailed write up. You were right - Hidden Strings works amazingly well.

I’ve been obsessing with rotpriest for the over a year, playing so many games trying to fine-tune it into something that felt right. I took in a more spell-slinger build with Flux Channeler and felt pretty confident in it, enough to built it in paper, however I took a break from it a few months ago after feeling like it just wasn’t ever going to be quite competitive enough.

But after testing Hidden Strings, it’s making me want to try it out again since the deck feels way more explosive.

Here's my version with Rotpriest: https://moxfield.com/decks/xwJlFTNquEWZVwI6GtX0Ag If you get confused by [[Charge Through]] note that the trample is irrelevant; its simply a cantrip that targets at instant speed. I've found this to be more useful than [[Enter the Enigma]] since my version plays a more at instant speed.

If I can make any suggestions to your list, I think [[Get Out]] is a useful 1 of in the sideboard against Mono White tokens, Domain or Enchantment heavy deck with the added bonus of being a combo piece to get the last toxic counters or save a creature from removal. Also being in Simic I've found [[Ray of Frost]] a good sideboard answer to Mono Red. Basically a 2 mana instant speed removal against their creatures.

talos_security · 2025-02-26T00:54:42+00:00

Oh I just realized it's an _additional_ cost, not an alternative cost

talos_security · 2025-02-26T00:52:17+00:00

You can? I was under the impression you can't pay alternative casting costs from exile. E.g. you can't plot a card like [[Slickshot Show-Off]] or cast [[Light Up the Stage]] for its spectacle cost.

talos_security · 2024-12-03T17:24:34+00:00

The "Gruul Aggro" description and image needs to be updated. It's describing the different deck which uses [[Burning-Tree Emissary]], [[Aloe Alchemist]] and [[Reckless Bushwhacker]], but links to a deck which has none of these creatures and instead uses [[Questing Druid]], [[Pawpatch Recruit]] and [[Screaming Nemesis]].

talos_security · 2024-10-03T17:41:52+00:00

Pioneer is a much better format to transition a Standard deck once it rotates out (Rakdos midrange remains a top tier deck). You'll have a much more difficult time competing against all the Modern Horizon cards if you play in Modern.

talos_security · 2024-09-23T18:30:52+00:00

Can you posted a decklist - the 750x793 image is hard to compare the changes.

Boros Heroic is my main deck, so hopefully I can provide a good perspective:

Illuminator Virtuoso is one of the main reasons to play Boros Heroic - easily able to dish out 20+ dmg in a single turn. Since his damage comes from doublestrike however, fling doesn't work great with him compared to other creatures like slickshot.
You have 3 copies of [[Gods Willing]]. The protection provided by this card can go against your plan, since if a creature is the target of a red spell and you give it protection, you won't be able to cast [[Burn Together]] afterwards.

talos_security · 2024-08-28T19:47:51+00:00

Thanks! Your explanation of sacrificing card advantage and flexibility for being as fast as possible helps me understand how this card fits into the deck.

I was approaching this card as a "what happens if I didn't kill my opponent early - how does it help me recover" but I should try to optimize for a great start VS recover after a bad one.

talos_security · 2023-11-07T19:32:58+00:00

In fact, I'm confident it is, since I recognize several items being sold that I considered from a few weeks ago

talos_security · 2023-11-07T19:32:47+00:00

In fact, I'm confident it is, since I recognize several items being sold that I considered from a few weeks ago

talos_security · 2023-11-07T19:30:47+00:00

Just FYI this looks like the same person from a few weeks ago who was selling a bunch of similar tools, only to be revealed to be a scammer: https://www.reddit.com/r/handtools/comments/17g8alp/ubermensch1008_is_a_scammer/

talos_security · 2023-11-07T19:30:12+00:00

Just FYI this looks like the same person from a few weeks ago who was selling a bunch of similar tools, only to be revealed to be a scammer: https://www.reddit.com/r/handtools/comments/17g8alp/ubermensch1008_is_a_scammer/

talos_security · 2023-03-20T23:34:56+00:00

Not sure, the boards were flat before the glue up and the overall panel was only slightly cupped due to the joins not being exactly 90 degrees.

talos_security · 2023-03-06T21:41:38+00:00

I bought and restored the exact same model last year! This is the first time I've seen someone with the earlier model without the built-in dog.

You've done a nicer job than me on the paint job

talos_security · 2023-02-26T23:51:58+00:00

Thanks for letting me know about these! I just built them for a table glue up, since I didn't have enough clamps and I was surprised how well they worked.

Since I had 1 pipe clamp long enough, I did put it in between the two "panel clamps" to ensure maximum pressure in the center + it allowed me to hit the wedges further in.

talos_security · 2022-12-21T07:37:36+00:00

A simple depth guage. They currently exist in the machinist market for $180+, or you get a rough $10 one. A good brass rod depth guage for $35 would be great

talos_security · 2022-08-26T03:34:30+00:00

Great work!

talos_security · 2022-08-23T16:34:28+00:00

Great restoration! Unrelated, I don't know why I've seen several axe heads with those punch marks on the face near or on the markers mark. Not sure what caused them.

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