I actually like the new Chandra. I think she could be playable in the right deck.
As for the rest of the set, I like that they're stepping it up---this core set seems a lot more interesting than past ones.
Thanks guys! It was an SCG IQ about an hour away from me. We played 5 rounds of Swiss with a cut to Top 8. Here's how the different rounds went:
Round 1: I played against a regular at the store who was playing Aristocrats Part 2. He kept a slow hand in game 1, and I was able to run him over with Voice and Reckoner. Game 2 proceeded in a similar fashion, although he kept a good hand. It didn't matter, though---I sided in Unflinching Courage as I do against aggro and ended up putting that and Rancor on a Voice of Resurgence, which was my only creature. That game was a blowout. (1-0, 2-0)
Round 2 had me facing a guy with a Gruul Aggro deck. I had to mull to 5 game 1, which means that it was essentially no contest. He ran me over with some BTE chains. Game 2 I was actually able to stop him with a Reckoner and Unflinching Courage. Game 3 was insanely close with good plays from both sides, but a late Volcanic Strength on a Flinthoof Boar put me on a clock that was just too fast. (1-1, 3-2)
Round 3 placed me in a round against the store owner, who was an avid Magic player and was simultaneously running the tournament (with the help of a judge) and playing in it. She had put together a Junk Control deck with Heartless Summoning and Desecration Demon as its VIPs. It was a great matchup for my deck---control like that can't do anything against my bigger threats. I ran her over quickly in both games---which allowed for a good talk with her after about her store and the chance to get some pizza from a nearby shop. (2-1, 5-2)
Round 4 had me pitted against one of the best players in my area who beat me the previous weekend in the 2HG side event finals in SCG Philly. He was playing Naya Midrange and kept a slow hand in Game 1 so I just killed him quickly. Game 2 he unfortunately had to mull to 4, was forced to keep a one-lander, and couldn't do anything while I beat him down. (3-1, 7-2)
Round 5 started with a look at the standings: I was in fourth! The people that were undefeated ended up drawing earlier in the day. Thanks to all of my 2-0s, I ended up getting matched up with the 2nd place player---we intentionally drew into Top 8! (3-1-1, 7-2)
The first round of Top 8 put me against Jund Midrange, which was my worst matchup and a deck I had managed to avoid all day. I got steamrolled in two games after almost killing him both times, but what can you do---I had made it to Top 8 for the first time ever.
It was a great day, and in the end I walked away with a bunch of packs, a cool Top 8 pin, and a bunch of SCG swag!
I could never pigeonhole myself into one archetype or set of colors, regardless of my guild affiliation. I like to switch things up and that means playing whatever deck interests me no matter what colors it runs.
My deck really capitalizes on the insane creatures in the format right now. And yeah, Nate, it's both a big step up and a step in the right direction. It seems to do really well in this meta for the most part.
Naya Aggro is the deck I play
It stomps Esper really badly, which is nice, and I have at least a 50% winrate against Jund. Against other aggro decks, I just need to hold off their opening onslaught and I win because my creatures are just better.
Control---I've seen Esper Control make a resurgence at SCG Opens and stuff recently---I guess people are starting to figure out that it's a good idea in this meta full of midrange
@Nate---Things have been crazy in a good way! I've been getting a lot more competitive with Magic in the last month or so. No notable results so far, but I've come close a few times---I just need a good day!
Hey guys! Long time, no talk.
That one's my fault---things have been so crazy with the end of the semester, internship troubles, work, and Magic tournaments that I've barely spent time on the internet---for reals.
Also, to jump into the current conversation, I don't play guitar, but I do play trumpet, clarinet, cello, and mellophone. Also if any of you are band geeks and know what the other DCI is, I'm an alumnus of Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps.
I've been testing GW Aggro for weeks now. The deck in the mainboard is very slow--remove the top end of the curve and it runs like a dream. Here's my final list. I'm taking it to a PTQ this weekend---I'll keep you guys posted on results.
It is actually written and pronounced like the character in the Avengers. The little slash thing is simply to add flair to my Facebook and prevent bots/spam. For the record, that is my real birth name and I am American. Pretty cool, right?
I hope this means you have a Loki costume ready to go at all times.
As for the rest of the set, I like that they're stepping it up---this core set seems a lot more interesting than past ones.
Also, I agree with everyone else. The new header is amazing!
Round 1: I played against a regular at the store who was playing Aristocrats Part 2. He kept a slow hand in game 1, and I was able to run him over with Voice and Reckoner. Game 2 proceeded in a similar fashion, although he kept a good hand. It didn't matter, though---I sided in Unflinching Courage as I do against aggro and ended up putting that and Rancor on a Voice of Resurgence, which was my only creature. That game was a blowout. (1-0, 2-0)
Round 2 had me facing a guy with a Gruul Aggro deck. I had to mull to 5 game 1, which means that it was essentially no contest. He ran me over with some BTE chains. Game 2 I was actually able to stop him with a Reckoner and Unflinching Courage. Game 3 was insanely close with good plays from both sides, but a late Volcanic Strength on a Flinthoof Boar put me on a clock that was just too fast. (1-1, 3-2)
Round 3 placed me in a round against the store owner, who was an avid Magic player and was simultaneously running the tournament (with the help of a judge) and playing in it. She had put together a Junk Control deck with Heartless Summoning and Desecration Demon as its VIPs. It was a great matchup for my deck---control like that can't do anything against my bigger threats. I ran her over quickly in both games---which allowed for a good talk with her after about her store and the chance to get some pizza from a nearby shop. (2-1, 5-2)
Round 4 had me pitted against one of the best players in my area who beat me the previous weekend in the 2HG side event finals in SCG Philly. He was playing Naya Midrange and kept a slow hand in Game 1 so I just killed him quickly. Game 2 he unfortunately had to mull to 4, was forced to keep a one-lander, and couldn't do anything while I beat him down. (3-1, 7-2)
Round 5 started with a look at the standings: I was in fourth! The people that were undefeated ended up drawing earlier in the day. Thanks to all of my 2-0s, I ended up getting matched up with the 2nd place player---we intentionally drew into Top 8! (3-1-1, 7-2)
The first round of Top 8 put me against Jund Midrange, which was my worst matchup and a deck I had managed to avoid all day. I got steamrolled in two games after almost killing him both times, but what can you do---I had made it to Top 8 for the first time ever.
It was a great day, and in the end I walked away with a bunch of packs, a cool Top 8 pin, and a bunch of SCG swag!
Also, your Peacock avatar is amazing. I approve.
Also, in recent news, I got my first Top 8 today!
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Dryad Militant
4 Experiment One
4 Ghor-Clan Rampager
4 Loxodon Smiter
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Voice of Resurgence
Spells
2 Rancor
2 Advent of the Wurm
2 Boros Charm
4 Searing Spear
2 Forest
4 Rootbound Crag
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Stomping Ground
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
3 Pacifism
3 Volcanic Strength
2 Ranger's Guile
2 Ray of Revelation
3 Skullcrack
2 Mizzium Mortars
It stomps Esper really badly, which is nice, and I have at least a 50% winrate against Jund. Against other aggro decks, I just need to hold off their opening onslaught and I win because my creatures are just better.
@Nate---Things have been crazy in a good way! I've been getting a lot more competitive with Magic in the last month or so. No notable results so far, but I've come close a few times---I just need a good day!
That one's my fault---things have been so crazy with the end of the semester, internship troubles, work, and Magic tournaments that I've barely spent time on the internet---for reals.
Also, to jump into the current conversation, I don't play guitar, but I do play trumpet, clarinet, cello, and mellophone. Also if any of you are band geeks and know what the other DCI is, I'm an alumnus of Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps.
4 Dryad Militant
4 Experiment One
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Voice of Resurgence
4 Loxodon Smiter
3 Silverblade Paladin
Spells: 15
4 Rancor
4 Selesnya Charm
3 Rootborn Defenses
4 Advent of the Wurm
4 Temple Garden
4 Sunpetal Grove
3 Selesnya Guildgate
6 Forest
5 Plains
2 Trostani, Selesnya's Voice
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Sundering Growth
3 Ranger's Guile
3 Oblivion Ring
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
4 Experiment One
4 Dryad Militant
4 Gyre Sage
4 Voice of Resurgence
4 Loxodon Smiter
3 Wolfir Silverheart
3 Silverblade Paladin
4 Advent of the Wurm
4 Rancor
4 Selesnya Charm
Lands:
4 Temple Garden
4 Sunpetal Grove
3 Selesnya Guildgate
5 Plains
6 Forest
Sideboard cards I've been considering are:
I hope this means you have a Loki costume ready to go at all times.