Hey guys I posted a list a while back, quoted below. What are your thoughts? I made 1 change. I got rid of Batterskull (too clunky) and added a Springleaf Drum to soften those 1 artifact land hands.
I've been thinking about this recently too. Affinity seems to be very explosive, but rather underwhelming without a Cranial Plating. Here's my version with SFM:
- I kept 3 Memnite for explosiveness.
- Vault Skirge replaced Frogmite as a creature that costs more or less the same, with a smaller body but with evasion, and an extra ability that can make it relevant in the aggro matchup.
- Etched Champion is a must 4-of. Super evasive, great synergy with Ravager.
- I kept 4 Arcbound Ravager because I like the shenanigans I can pull with his ability.
- Only 2 Master of Etherium, because he has poor synergy with Ravager. But, he's a great standalone threat.
- Minus one Cranial Plating because 4 Stoneforge Mystic seems to provide enough redundancy.
- 4 Mox Opal, Ravager can feed on extras.
- Plus one Springleaf Drum for same reason for Memnite.
- Kept 3 Thoughtcast in case I run out of gas. I understand your argument against it, but I think I need it for my version. It is another thing I have been thinking about. I think Thoughtcast is a card kind of like Brainstorm. Better to hold on to it for mid/late game. Affinity can establish an advantageous board position pretty quickly, and I don't find it necessary to draw extra in the 2nd or 3rd turn, until my advantage is just about to slip away.
- 3-ofs for colored artifact lands combined with the Moxes and Drums should be enough to fuel my SFMs, Thoughtcasts, MoEs, and provide BB for Cranial Plating tricks.
- 3 Darksteel Citadel to provide some resilience against Wasteland.
- 2 Inkmoth Nexus instead of Blinkmoth Nexus because I like the alternate-win condition with Infect and Plating.
- 2 Ancient Tomb for, one more time, explosiveness.
I left Tezzeret out because he is 3cmc and ill-suited for explosiveness (16 as opposed to 18 lands). I am also not completely sure on the Batterskull and Jitte. I suppose if I am running SFM, I have to run Batterskkull. As for Jitte its just great utility or something, and great in aggro matchup. Most of the time I'll be searching for Plating.
Also I don't know what to think about Steel Overseer...... His counters stick, but I still feel like MoE is better.
I still have a shallow foundation in Legacy, so this is just me theorycrafting. Time to sleeve up and goldfish
Due to the recent success of SFM builds, I feel obligated to try it out as well - yes, this must be a shock coming from one of the strongest advocates of the Tezz/Rav/EC deck.
I think SFM>>SSG, specifically for the uncounterable platings.
SFM + Equipments is good, but I can't see it being AS good in Affinity. Its not an Artifact, it doesn't affect the board state much like Canonist or Revoker. Its not a very agressive creature and it does not have evasion.
What it does provide, given he lives to see another turn after casted is a way to sneak into play Plating (which is and will always be our main equipment of choice).
What an interesting find. I think I'll try Steelshaper's Gift... Seems interesting.
Cheaper and faster than an SFM. Thought SFM is a body you can equip to, we seldom equip to non-artifact creatures anyway.
1 deck does not make proof. Regardless I would love to see play reports on that deck so see how often the body mattered of if he ever fished batterskull over plating. He ran 4 opals with no way to throw them back or destory them, so I'm assuming he was going for the quick win before having a hand full of legendary mattered.
Also, NO THOUGHTCAST? I cant get behind that, sorry. That is simply the best card in the deck 99% of the time.
I agree with the fact that, that deck is not great, must have been a good player, or lucky, to go undefeated with that list.
:symu::symg::symb:Sir, may I see your graveyard(Mimeoplasm):symb::symg::symu:
:symw::symw::symw:Michiko Konda, Truth Seeker:symw::symw::symw:
:symu::symb::symu:Oona, Queen of the Faye:symu::symb::symu:
Steelshapers is to hand, enlightened is to top of deck. Thats a pretty massive difference.
Steelshaper's Gift is a sorcery, and Enlightened Tutor is an Instant, that is a bigger difference to me. Anyways both are very sub par compared to Stoneforge Mystic. At least Stoneforge Mystic pretty much draws out a counter at the worst, a good player, would counter the tutored card with the other 2.
:symu::symg::symb:Sir, may I see your graveyard(Mimeoplasm):symb::symg::symu:
:symw::symw::symw:Michiko Konda, Truth Seeker:symw::symw::symw:
:symu::symb::symu:Oona, Queen of the Faye:symu::symb::symu:
Tested more with my list against NO Bant, Merfolk and Zoo. Hardly dropped a game preboard; SFM is the real deal mind you. Id play 8 platings than thoughtcasts. In my perspective drawing cards off thoughtcast is over rated with the loss of ravager and disciple main and the dilution of the deck with small weenies. Getting platings into play are much better than risk drawing duds. Take note the absence of frogmite and enforcers further weakens thoughtcast as well.
I really do suggest first hand experience with the SFM build, though the scg invitational list is sub par in my assessment, i shamelessly advocate my list as a jumP off point.
I played some test games with SFM, but I wasn't happy. I didn't detect a major increase in power, but I did detect a slowdown of my deck by around one turn. Sometimes that one turn was all my opponent needed to topdeck a SB card to wreck me.
I played some test games with SFM, but I wasn't happy. I didn't detect a major increase in power, but I did detect a slowdown of my deck by around one turn. Sometimes that one turn was all my opponent needed to topdeck a SB card to wreck me.
I don't think it necessarily increases power, but rather consistency. I've had games where I just kind of fizzle if I don't stick a plating. Having essentially 2x of them and a way to sneak it past a counter is great. Certainly having to cast an SFM to find a plating versus just having one to start with is slower, but it's better than having to try to topdeck one of four.
@Raggedjoe
Maybe put the full SFM decklist in the OP? It would be easier to read through than a list of modifications to the core.
Are we seriously cutting Platings? Even if you have SFM, I would still consider running 4 Platings as the optimal configuration. Having more than one Plating out means that your opponent must deal with 2 creatures at a time. They are not redundant.
The Mystic offers virtual card advantage, as opposed to Steelshaper's Gift or Enlightened Tutor. Steelshaper's Gift is +0 CA, ET is -1 CA. If you manage to trade with the Mystic's body, that's +1 CA. This is something that you can NEVER do with the other two cards.
Due to the recent success of SFM builds, I feel obligated to try it out as well - yes, this must be a shock coming from one of the strongest advocates of the Tezz/Rav/EC deck.
I think SFM>>SSG, specifically for the uncounterable platings.
This decklist is interesting. The removal of Master of Etherium for stoneforge mystic was something I didn't think about. Making your creatures essentially all evasive except for Memnite and SFM, with SFM being the plating grabber. Although without an MOE, you lose a huge body that we like to use against decks like zoo and Merfolk.
I actually like this deck. @_@
Although i agree, -1 batterskull +1 SFM.
With the amount of Ancient tombs, maybe add a singleton of SoFaI?
Due to the recent success of SFM builds, I feel obligated to try it out as well - yes, this must be a shock coming from one of the strongest advocates of the Tezz/Rav/EC deck.
I think SFM>>SSG, specifically for the uncounterable platings.
I just got my hands on two Stoneforge Mystics. I've been goldfishing this alone for just a short while, and so far its working out okay. I'll probably look for a third SFM and stop there. I feel like 4 is a bit too diluted already. Maybe bump off a Master of Etherium for one more SFM. Any suggestions or comments?
Wait, you sure 23 mana sources isn't too much?
I understand that SFM makes things more mana-intensive. Do you ever get mana-flooded?
Its pretty much just 21 sources since Mox Opal is Legendary.
In my opinion, I need the extra mana mainly because of the 4 Etched/3MoE at the moment. Add to the Tezz's, The deck is a bit more mana-intensive atm.
There are just a lot of accelerators (Drums, Opal and tombs) which are supposed to still enable turn 3-4 wins or atleast take an overwhelming board position by turn 4.
I don't think it necessarily increases power, but rather consistency. I've had games where I just kind of fizzle if I don't stick a plating. Having essentially 2x of them and a way to sneak it past a counter is great. Certainly having to cast an SFM to find a plating versus just having one to start with is slower, but it's better than having to try to topdeck one of four.
I have to agree. Although it reduces the overall speed of the deck, it creates a happy medium. Sure, you might need one more turn, but you will be operating at full power more often.
Of course, it depends on what you are taking out to replace it.
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Everyone knows that good luck and good game are such insincere terms that any man who does not connect his right hook with the offender's jaw on the very utterance of such a phrase is no man I would consider as such.
In the end it probably would just water down both strategies and be worse than either but it could be fun to try.
I am also considering a third build (I know, I know) that uses artifact burn and tries to maximize the use of Fling or Soul's Fire to deal massive damage:
I know some of the options look odd, but I've only played Legacy inbetween rounds of FNM (so I'm still learning the matchups). Nix can counter FoW and MM, Spell Snare is for anything that can be used against me such as Null Rod. I chose Dispatch over Galvanic Blast to deal with Tombstalker.
Thoughts?
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currently playing:
Standard UW Control UWB Control UB Control MODERN BRGJund X Affinity UWR Control
I know some of the options look odd, but I've only played Legacy inbetween rounds of FNM (so I'm still learning the matchups). Nix can counter FoW and MM, Spell Snare is for anything that can be used against me such as Null Rod. I chose Dispatch over Galvanic Blast to deal with Tombstalker.
Thoughts?
Drop Frogmites and Myr Enforcers.
There are a lot better cards for Affinity now. Personally I suggest Master of Etherium or Stoneforge Mystic.
Up Cranial Plating count to 4. NEVER run less than 4 under any circumstances.
Bump down to 3 tezz's to make space for 4 dispatch.
I believe MD removal is no longer necessary as we have a better matchup against all forms of aggro. The creatures we have problems against come post board.
Vault Skirge is an Affinity standard as far as I can tell. Carries a Cranial Plating like a champ, comes down turn one netting you life back. Decent investment. You should probably swamp out your Frogmite or Memnite out for a playset.
WUGPhelddagrif GGGOmnath, Locus of Mana BBBXiahou Dun, the One-Eyed RRRAshling, the Pilgrim BBWTeysa, Scion of Orzhov UUUTalrand, Sky Summoner UUBVela the Night-Clad GGBVhati il-Dal RUWRuhan of the Fomori
Everyone knows that good luck and good game are such insincere terms that any man who does not connect his right hook with the offender's jaw on the very utterance of such a phrase is no man I would consider as such.
Because Ornithopter is only good if you have something else.
Where as Signal Pest carries the same burden, he actually makes things better, where as Ornithoper does not. The only reason I keep him in the deck is because he sets off first turn Metal Craft for Mox. If not, those 2 slots would be Thopter Foundry.
what do you think? more equipment?
4 Ornithopter
3 Memnite
4 Vault Skirge
4 Signal Pest
4 Etched Champion
4 Arcbound Ravager
2 Master of Etherium
4 Stoneforge Mystic
3 Cranial Plating
1 Umezawa's Jitte
Other Spells
4 Mox Opal
4 Springleaf Drum
3 Thoughtcast
3 Ancient Den
3 Seat of the Synod
3 Vault of Whispers
3 Darksteel Citadel
2 Inkmoth Nexus
2 Ancient Tomb
I think SFM>>SSG, specifically for the uncounterable platings.
The list I will be trying out right now is:
3 Seat of the Synod
3 Vault of Whispers
3 Ancient Den
3 Darksteel Citadel
3 Ancient Tomb
3 Glimmervoid
4 Memnite
4 Ornithopter
4 Signal Pest
4 Vault Skirge
3 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Etched Champion
4 Crainial Plating
1 Umizawa's Jitte
1 Batterskull
Spells: 13
3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
4 Thoughtcast
3 Springleaf Drum
3 Mox Opal
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
What it does provide, given he lives to see another turn after casted is a way to sneak into play Plating (which is and will always be our main equipment of choice).
Steelshaper's Gift is a sub par card, it doesn't create a body or sneak through counters. Wouldn't Enlightened Tutor be better Steelshaper's Gift.
I agree with the fact that, that deck is not great, must have been a good player, or lucky, to go undefeated with that list.
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Steelshapers is to hand, enlightened is to top of deck. Thats a pretty massive difference.
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Steelshaper's Gift is a sorcery, and Enlightened Tutor is an Instant, that is a bigger difference to me. Anyways both are very sub par compared to Stoneforge Mystic. At least Stoneforge Mystic pretty much draws out a counter at the worst, a good player, would counter the tutored card with the other 2.
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:symg::symr::symw::symb:Aggro Loam:symb::symw::symr::symg:
Leveling Towards:
:symw::symw::symw:Michiko Konda, Truth Seeker:symw::symw::symw:
:symu::symb::symu:Oona, Queen of the Faye:symu::symb::symu:
I really do suggest first hand experience with the SFM build, though the scg invitational list is sub par in my assessment, i shamelessly advocate my list as a jumP off point.
I don't think it necessarily increases power, but rather consistency. I've had games where I just kind of fizzle if I don't stick a plating. Having essentially 2x of them and a way to sneak it past a counter is great. Certainly having to cast an SFM to find a plating versus just having one to start with is slower, but it's better than having to try to topdeck one of four.
Maybe put the full SFM decklist in the OP? It would be easier to read through than a list of modifications to the core.
Are we seriously cutting Platings? Even if you have SFM, I would still consider running 4 Platings as the optimal configuration. Having more than one Plating out means that your opponent must deal with 2 creatures at a time. They are not redundant.
The Mystic offers virtual card advantage, as opposed to Steelshaper's Gift or Enlightened Tutor. Steelshaper's Gift is +0 CA, ET is -1 CA. If you manage to trade with the Mystic's body, that's +1 CA. This is something that you can NEVER do with the other two cards.
This decklist is interesting. The removal of Master of Etherium for stoneforge mystic was something I didn't think about. Making your creatures essentially all evasive except for Memnite and SFM, with SFM being the plating grabber. Although without an MOE, you lose a huge body that we like to use against decks like zoo and Merfolk.
I actually like this deck. @_@
Although i agree, -1 batterskull +1 SFM.
With the amount of Ancient tombs, maybe add a singleton of SoFaI?
Haha I love the manabase.
I'm loving the 25 creature count.
2 Ancient Tomb
2 Glimmervoid
3 Ancient Den
3 Darksteel Citadel
3 Vault of Whispers
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Vault Skirge
4 Etched Champion
4 Ornithopter
4 Memnite
4 Signal Pest
3 Master of Etherium
2 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Umezawa's Jitte
4 Cranial Plating
Spells: 13
3 Springleaf Drum
3 Mox Opal
3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
4 Thoughtcast
I understand that SFM makes things more mana-intensive. Do you ever get mana-flooded?
Its pretty much just 21 sources since Mox Opal is Legendary.
In my opinion, I need the extra mana mainly because of the 4 Etched/3MoE at the moment. Add to the Tezz's, The deck is a bit more mana-intensive atm.
There are just a lot of accelerators (Drums, Opal and tombs) which are supposed to still enable turn 3-4 wins or atleast take an overwhelming board position by turn 4.
I have to agree. Although it reduces the overall speed of the deck, it creates a happy medium. Sure, you might need one more turn, but you will be operating at full power more often.
Of course, it depends on what you are taking out to replace it.
- To my youngest sister when she was 6.
4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Ornithopter
4 Memnite
4 Vault Skirge
3 Etched Champion
3 Master of Etherium
Other Creatures (4)
4 Disciple of the Vault
Planeswalkers (3)
3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
4 Cranial Plating
Spells (4)
4 Thoughtcast
Mana Base (23)
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Ancient Den
2 Darksteel Citadel
4 Mox Opal
3 Springleaf Drum
2 Glimmervoid
4 Cabal Therapy
3 Seal of Cleansing
2 Ethersworn Canonist
2 Tidehollow Sculler
2 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Pithing Needle
1 Phyrexian Revoker
Here is a more controllish list that I have toyed with:
4 Arcbound Ravager
3 Etched Champion
3 Vault Skirge
2 Baleful Strix
2 Ethersworn Canonist
2 Tidehollow Sculler
1 Phyrexian Revoker
Other Creatures (6)
4 Disciple of the Vault
2 Stoneforge Mystic
Planeswalkers (3)
3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
4 Cranial Plating
1 Umezawa's Jitte
Other Artifacts (4)
4 Aether Vial
Spells (4)
4 Thoughtcast
Mana Base (21)
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Ancient Den
4 Mox Opal
3 Glimmervoid
2 City of Brass
3 Duress
3 Seal of Cleansing
3 Dispatch
2 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Tidehollow Sculler
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Pithing Needle
1 Phyrexian Revoker
I have been toying with the idea of a burn-affinity deck.
I made a list a while back that was more burn than affinity:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=308518
The idea of a list that is more affinity than burn would go something like this:
4 Ornithopter
4 Memnite
4 Vault Skirge
4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Etched Champion
4 Disciple of the Vault
Burn (8)
4 Shrapnel Blast
4 Galvanic Blast
Other Spells (8)
4 Cranial Plating
4 Thoughtcast
4 Great Furnace
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Mox Opal
2 Glimmervoid
2 Springleaf Drum
Other cards to consider:
Fling, Soul's Fire, Reckless Abandon, Atog
In the end it probably would just water down both strategies and be worse than either but it could be fun to try.
I am also considering a third build (I know, I know) that uses artifact burn and tries to maximize the use of Fling or Soul's Fire to deal massive damage:
4 Ornithopter
4 Vault Skirge
4 Master of Etherium
3 Etched Champion
2 Signal Pest
Non-artifact creatures (5)
3 Stoneforge Mystic
2 Atog
Burn (10)
4 Galvanic Blast
2 Shrapnel Blast
2 Fling
2 Soul's Fire
4 Cranial Plating
4 Thoughtcast
Mana Base (20)
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Great Furnace
4 Ancient Den
2 Glimmervoid
4 Mox Opal
2 Springleaf Drum
3 Seal of Cleansing
3 Ethersworn Canonist
4 Cabal Therapy
1 Pithing Needle
1 Phyrexian Revoker
3 Dispatch
Standard: UWR
Modern: RDW, Twin
Legacy: I am 3 Candelabra of Tawnos from being able to build almost any tier 1 or 1.5 deck. Here are the ones I care about right now:
-Aggro: UWR/RUB/WUB/RUG/UR Delver; Affinity; Burn
-Control: Stoneblade; UWr Miracles; UB Tezzeret
-Combo: Hive Mind; Combo Elves; Omni Tell; T.E.S.
Vintage: Grixis Painter
EDH: Rith, the Awakener
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Blinkmoth Nexus
4 Darksteel Citadel
2 Glimmervoid
artifacts (10)
4 Mox Opal
3 Cranial Plating
3 Springleaf Drum
4 Memnite
4 Ornithopter
4 Signal Pest
4 Frogmite
4 Myr Enforcer
3 Etched Champion
planeswalkers (4)
4 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
spells (5)
4 Thoughtcast
3 Dispatch
3 Nix
3 Spell Snare
3 Pithing Needle
3 Relic of Progenitus
3 Ethersworn Canonist
I know some of the options look odd, but I've only played Legacy inbetween rounds of FNM (so I'm still learning the matchups). Nix can counter FoW and MM, Spell Snare is for anything that can be used against me such as Null Rod. I chose Dispatch over Galvanic Blast to deal with Tombstalker.
Thoughts?
currently playing:
Standard
UW Control
UWB Control
UB Control
MODERN
BRGJund
X Affinity
UWR Control
LEGACY
Dredge
R Burn
UWx Miracles
EDH
BRW Kaalia
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Quotes:
My Magic Card nicknames.
Drop Frogmites and Myr Enforcers.
There are a lot better cards for Affinity now. Personally I suggest Master of Etherium or Stoneforge Mystic.
Up Cranial Plating count to 4. NEVER run less than 4 under any circumstances.
Bump down to 3 tezz's to make space for 4 dispatch.
In fact, you could stand to have some Master of Etheriums, probably swap them with some Myr Enforcers.
B Infect
BW Death & Taxes
UBR Affinity
R Burn
UBR Sac Land Tendrils
UBRG Oops, All Spells
WUG Phelddagrif
GGG Omnath, Locus of Mana
BBB Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed
RRR Ashling, the Pilgrim
BBW Teysa, Scion of Orzhov
UUU Talrand, Sky Summoner
UUB Vela the Night-Clad
GGB Vhati il-Dal
RUW Ruhan of the Fomori
- To my youngest sister when she was 6.
Why are you not playing Blue with Thoughtcast?
Here's my revised list I've been using:
4 Seat of Synod
4 Ancient Den
4 Blinkmoth Nexus
4 Memnite
2 Ornithopter
4 Vault Skirge
4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Signal Pest
3 Master of Etherium
3 Etched Champion
3 Stoneforge Mystic
4 Thoughtcast
2 Springleaf Drum
4 Mox Opal
3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
4 Cabal Therapy
2 Ethersworn Canonist
3 Relic of Progenitus
2 Pithing Needle
2 Diabolic Edict
2 Dispatch
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer
4 Memnite and 2 Ornithopter? Why? O:
Because Ornithopter is only good if you have something else.
Where as Signal Pest carries the same burden, he actually makes things better, where as Ornithoper does not. The only reason I keep him in the deck is because he sets off first turn Metal Craft for Mox. If not, those 2 slots would be Thopter Foundry.
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig.
NO RUG: Primer
Tempo Thresh: Primer