Birthing Pod emerged as a serious contender last T2 season and spawned a few variants that did fairly well. It's back with a vengeance this time and is looking to emerge as Tier 1.
The assumed variants for SOM/M12/ISD are RUG, Bant, and BUG. Here is a sample Bant list to get thinks started:
About Frox: for nearly 10 years, Frox has been helping women look good and feel great in easy-fit, mix-and-match, and work-to-weekend with just a few pieces by helping them make the right choices when it comes to clothing and accessories.
About Frox: for nearly 10 years, Frox has been helping women look good and feel great in easy-fit, mix-and-match, and work-to-weekend with just a few pieces by helping them make the right choices when it comes to clothing and accessories.
Try swiftfoot boots instesad of sword, will be beast! And in the 5 cmc there is the lifegain green guy and something just like hero of bladehold except with wolfs and better, swiftfoot boots would go awesome with that guy
Losing the Sea Gate Oracle slot is painful, and TBH may be the reason Bant won't be a competitive version of Pod. That said, Bant most likely has the best mana.
BUG Pod does gives us Phyrexian Rager, while not a great substitute for SGO it is something, and being a 2/2 isn't anything to be ashamed about.
I think some form of aggressive RUG Pod could work that really uses Hero of Oxid Ridge and Skabb Ruinator to bring the beats. Red also gives you Ancient Grudge and Arc Trail, both great cards in the format.
The problem here is the lack of card draw at the 3cmc slot and the lack of good 4 drops. The Sun Titan interaction is nothing to be ignored, but is it worth to compromise the rest of the deck for it? IDK. The mana is good though.
The problem here is obviously the mana. Having no Scars fast land in the color combination really hurts. However, you are very good against aggro decks. Glissa should most likely be in here, since she does recur Pod and Ancient Grudge is back. The plus side is having the 3 drop card draw guy, and just fantastic 4-drops. Also, the combination of Grave Titan, Wurm, and Reaper make for some spicy late game. This deck seems like it is a better deck without Pod it play as opposed to Bant Pod (as it's bombs don't need any other creature and it has less singletons)
Much better manabase than BUG and only slightly worse than Bants. It is much more aggressive than any of the above lists and will prly win any Pod mirror thanks to Ancient Grudge.
BUG has more card draw and board control, while Bant has more explosive creatures and a more solid mana base. With standard be so boring (to me, at least) for so long, I'm very happy to be having a hard time deciding between two versions of such a fun and competitive deck.
redthirst is redthirst, fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse. He was the leader of the Fires of Salvation, the only clan I'm aware of to get modded off the forums so hard they made their own forums.
Degenerate? Sure. Loudmouth? You bet. Law abiding? No ****ing way.
@ koopa - I like your builds in general, especially the bant one. However, I'm interested in trying out venser in your list. Perhaps -2 Oring +2 Venser? This gives you access to another good 4-drop in the form of stonehirn dignitary. Also, I think you should make room for a single mentor of the meek in the bant build. He can be a huge source of card advantage if left unchecked... I played one game with him where my opponent was able to wipe my board except for my mentor, and then dropped a grave Titan. I calmly (and luckily) drew image, copied his Titan, drew 2 off the zombies, drawing into pod, and then podded the image into an elesh norn. Obv that shows the power of image and pod as much as it does of mentor, but you get the idea.
Had semenulative upkeep before it was fashionable. Look what you forced me to do, Wizards! IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GO DOWN LIKE THIS!
Quote from LandBoySteve »
Like I said, I can only go by my own experience, which is now 18 years. Kind of disheartening when you think you know something and you find out that you're a notch below a low grade moron.
so... the new morbid ability when initially revealed seemed like a great thing for the pod decks. but after second review, that black demon 6-drop for MBC absolutely destroys us.
Reaper from the Abyss Creature - Demon Flying
Morbid - At the beginning of each end step, if a creature died this turn, destroy target non-Demon creature.
What this actually means is that we lose whatever we podded into if black has this demon in play.
granted it is a 6-drop, but MBC could be viable again in a slower non-valakut format.
white also gets a couple cards that have potential to hose any pod deck:
:1mana::symw: Enchantment Activated abilities of artifacts can't be activated. Nevermore
:1mana::symw::symw: Enchantment As Nevermore enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
The named card can't be cast.
Both of these require us to probably run SB 4x naturalize, or possibly a few more MD answers to artifacts and enchantments (that aren't ETB effects from creatures due to Torpor Orb continuing to be a haterade staple)
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"The shuffler is what makes good players look like scrubs."
-me
so... the new morbid ability when initially revealed seemed like a great thing for the pod decks. but after second review, that black demon 6-drop for MBC absolutely destroys us.
Reaper from the Abyss Creature - Demon Flying
Morbid - At the beginning of each end step, if a creature died this turn, destroy target non-Demon creature.
What this actually means is that we lose whatever we podded into if black has this demon in play.
granted it is a 6-drop, but MBC could be viable again in a slower non-valakut format.
white also gets a couple cards that have potential to hose any pod deck:
:1mana::symw: Enchantment Activated abilities of artifacts can't be activated. Nevermore
:1mana::symw::symw: Enchantment As Nevermore enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
The named card can't be cast.
Both of these require us to probably run SB 4x naturalize, or possibly a few more MD answers to artifacts and enchantments (that aren't ETB effects from creatures due to Torpor Orb continuing to be a haterade staple)
Play 4 Beast Within if you're so worried about hate. Ultimately, the pride of a good Birthing Pod deck is its ability to be successful without the Birthing Pod. It will obviously be insane if you get one active, though, so try to play it and activate it in the same turn, preferably without passing priority.
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Quote from ClockworkSwordfish »
Had semenulative upkeep before it was fashionable. Look what you forced me to do, Wizards! IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GO DOWN LIKE THIS!
Quote from LandBoySteve »
Like I said, I can only go by my own experience, which is now 18 years. Kind of disheartening when you think you know something and you find out that you're a notch below a low grade moron.
Morbid - When Hollowhenge Scavenger enters the battlefield, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life
Seems like a good replacement for obsinite baloth? I'm suprised no one is looking to run him yet, I feel there will be a lot of aggro soon
I don't like that he's a cmc 5. I'd rather play Peace Strider.
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Quote from ClockworkSwordfish »
Had semenulative upkeep before it was fashionable. Look what you forced me to do, Wizards! IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GO DOWN LIKE THIS!
Quote from LandBoySteve »
Like I said, I can only go by my own experience, which is now 18 years. Kind of disheartening when you think you know something and you find out that you're a notch below a low grade moron.
Ok, Bant lost Sea Gate Oracle at the 3 Drop slot and Obstinate Baloth at the 4 Drop slot.
Here are some ideas for replacements:
3 Drop:
Skaab Ruinator
Geist of Saint Traft (Innistrad!)
Blade Splicer
Sylvok Replica
4 Drop
Peace Strider (Does almost the same thing for us as Obstinate Baloth)
Woodland Sleuth (Innistrad!)
Hero of Bladehold (Best for sideboard, unless the format is really slow)
Woodland Sleuth is super as at least a one of i think. After sacing an acidic slime copy phantasmal image we can pod for deceiver exarch, untap pod and get a woodland sleuth to get back phantasmal image
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Standard:
N/A
Modern:
Grishoalbrand / Grixis Death's Shadow / Jeskai Control / UW Control
Woodland Sleuth is super as at least a one of i think. After sacing an acidic slime copy phantasmal image we can pod for deceiver exarch, untap pod and get a woodland sleuth to get back phantasmal image
...why do we want to get Phantasmal Image back? Better to leave it in the graveyard for later Sun Titan shennanigans.
Morbid - When Hollowhenge Scavenger enters the battlefield, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life
Seems like a good replacement for obsinite baloth? I'm suprised no one is looking to run him yet, I feel there will be a lot of aggro soon
yea but not RDW insane turn 3 win aggro. the rotation of goblin guide means that the aggro route will be more WW than RDW or Goblins.
while the lifegain is nice, i dont think we will be hurting as much in the aggro matchup to need a 5 drop gain 5 lifer that removes slots from acidic slime.
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"The shuffler is what makes good players look like scrubs."
-me
so... the new morbid ability when initially revealed seemed like a great thing for the pod decks. but after second review, that black demon 6-drop for MBC absolutely destroys us.
Reaper from the Abyss Creature - Demon Flying
Morbid - At the beginning of each end step, if a creature died this turn, destroy target non-Demon creature.
What this actually means is that we lose whatever we podded into if black has this demon in play.
granted it is a 6-drop, but MBC could be viable again in a slower non-valakut format.
The Reaper is also an excellent 6-drop for any black-based Pod (it's the main reason I'd consider BUG over Bant). Plus, if it's too much of a problem, black Pod can SB out Sheoldred, Whispering One for Rune-Scarred Demon + answer and/or any Pod can run Beast Within.
redthirst is redthirst, fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse. He was the leader of the Fires of Salvation, the only clan I'm aware of to get modded off the forums so hard they made their own forums.
Degenerate? Sure. Loudmouth? You bet. Law abiding? No ****ing way.
The Reaper is also an excellent 6-drop for any black-based Pod (it's the main reason I'd consider BUG over Bant). Plus, if it's too much of a problem, black Pod can SB out Sheoldred, Whispering One for Rune-Scarred Demon + answer and/or any Pod can run Beast Within.
yea i always forget that Beast Within is a card. I have never run it in any of the many variations of Pod (GB, Jund, Bant, RUG, RUG Twin, and BUG). Have always found something else for that slot. Guess i need to start running it if cards like dismember wont work anymore.
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"The shuffler is what makes good players look like scrubs."
-me
Why isn't 4x Snapcaster Mage in every single list? It doubles our ponder (or gitaxian probe) counts, as well as recycling removal later in the game, and after we get value out of it, it sacs nicely into Skaab Ruinator.
Do you guys really think Fiend Hunter is really a mainboard card? You do realize that after you drop him, you can't sac him to the pod otherwise they'll get their creature back..?
I think Bant, Junk and RUG will be most viable honestly, because it's really important to have one SOM dual land that includes green. I used to be an avid junk pod player, but I'm starting to lean more towards Bant.. Here are my two build ideas for the upcoming season:
Obviously the two builds are really similar, with a few key maindeck cards changed between to fit the appropriate colors.. But I feel as though Bant Pod has much stronger sideboard opportunities. That being said, I really think Fiend Hunter belongs in the sideboard. There will be so much maindeck removal around that he's just going to create a 2-for-1 for your opponent. I'd rather side him against decks that will have a harder time removing him, like Tempered Steel.
I think we should try to come up with a new and improved list of the top creature cards of each color to help people decide which color combination they want to play. I'll start with a few of my suggestions and I'll update this post as other people add more.
Why isn't 4x Snapcaster Mage in every single list? It doubles our ponder (or gitaxian probe) counts, as well as recycling removal later in the game, and after we get value out of it, it sacs nicely into Skaab Ruinator.
Bant lists are generally a bit lighter in the removal department, so it's decently likely that you won't have any instants or sorceries to recur. Makes a bit more sense in BUG, I guess, but they still tend to lean towards creature answers (like Skinrender) over spells.
Skaab Ruinator is a good substitute for Sea Gate Oracle's 3-drop absence: though only 1 or 2 might be desirable, you can bypass the casting cost with clones, clones and more clones. Plus with the volume of creatures that we dump into the 'yard by the deck's nature, you would think we don't exactly have a problem bringing it back over and over.
I'm thinking the future meta might call for more copy effects than the ones we already run: I wanna have at least 5 on the main and possibly one more on the side. What do you guys think? It'll be an answer to Geist of Saint Traft and every other legend people decide to run right after rotation...
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"Yesterday was all I had. Today is all I have. Tomorrow is all I want."
Now playing:
Standard-- UB Brains
Legacy-- UB Dredges
Commander-- U Sakashima
Do you guys really think Fiend Hunter is really a mainboard card?
No.
Hollowhenge Scavenger 

Creature - Elemental

Morbid - When Hollowhenge Scavenger enters the battlefield, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life
Seems like a good replacement for obsinite baloth? I'm suprised no one is looking to run him yet, I feel there will be a lot of aggro soon
Nope. It costs too much and ETB effects are better than morbid ones. Life shouldn't be a concern anyway.
Try swiftfoot boots instesad of sword, will be beast! And in the 5 cmc there is the lifegain green guy and something just like hero of bladehold except with wolfs and better, swiftfoot boots would go awesome with that guy
Seriously? Really...? Swords are two of the greatest cards in T2 right now, and if we're given the option to run them it's an opportunity that should not be passed.
Why isn't 4x Snapcaster Mage in every single list? It doubles our ponder (or gitaxian probe) counts, as well as recycling removal later in the game, and after we get value out of it, it sacs nicely into Skaab Ruinator.
Not the focus of the deck at all. 4 is way too many just to bring back some Ponders. And Gitaxian Probe really isn't good for this deck.
I'm thinking the future meta might call for more copy effects than the ones we already run: I wanna have at least 5 on the main and possibly one more on the side. What do you guys think?
Eh, I think four's enough.
Some other opinions thus far:
-Skaab Ruinator is not a good card. It is too conditionally costed, not fun to Pod into, and not worth the cost if it were to die from harcasting.
-Oblivion Ring > Beast Within. The 3/3's a pain, no matter how much you want to argue for the card.
I would also like to point out that all of Koopa's lists are amazing, and I especially love the RUG one. Well done.
About Frox: for nearly 10 years, Frox has been helping women look good and feel great in easy-fit, mix-and-match, and work-to-weekend with just a few pieces by helping them make the right choices when it comes to clothing and accessories.
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The assumed variants for SOM/M12/ISD are RUG, Bant, and BUG. Here is a sample Bant list to get thinks started:
2 Seachrome Coast
3 Sunpetal Grove
2 Glacial Fortress
4 Forest
4 Plains
3 Island
3 Hinterland Harbor
4 Birds of Paradise
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Viridian Emissary
2 Phantasmal Image
1 Blade Splicer
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Skaab Ruinator
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Hero of Bladehold
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
2 Acidic Slime
2 Archon of Justice
2 Sun Titan
3 Ponder
3 Oblivion Ring
2 Sword of Feast and Famine
Birthing Pod decks will be hard to tune right away due to their reliance on the metagame, so it's best to have a 60 card shell for now.
Should Pod stay midrange? Should it go control? We'll have to figure this out.
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About Frox: for nearly 10 years, Frox has been helping women look good and feel great in easy-fit, mix-and-match, and work-to-weekend with just a few pieces by helping them make the right choices when it comes to clothing and accessories.
4th place at CCC&G Pro Tour
Chances of bad hands (<2 or >4 land):
21: 28.9%
22: 27.5%
23: 26.3%
24: 25.5%
25: 25.1%
26: 25.3%
I like Swords in Pod builds, because I feel it makes them more aggressive. What Sword, I do not know yet.
(Click to enter the Frox Experience)
About Frox: for nearly 10 years, Frox has been helping women look good and feel great in easy-fit, mix-and-match, and work-to-weekend with just a few pieces by helping them make the right choices when it comes to clothing and accessories.
Vi - Apollo - Armory - Sokai - Kylar - Gerr - CT -Dmitri
Amaya - Lilith - Lazarus - Yoko the Fox - Eli
Assume Nothing."
With multiple ways to smash the pod you will need to A) Retrieve it or B) Operate independent of it.
Seems naked with out Wurmcoil Engine
GWU Vesner, the Bant Poderer UWG
UB Secret Of The Ooze BU
BUG Pod does gives us Phyrexian Rager, while not a great substitute for SGO it is something, and being a 2/2 isn't anything to be ashamed about.
I think some form of aggressive RUG Pod could work that really uses Hero of Oxid Ridge and Skabb Ruinator to bring the beats. Red also gives you Ancient Grudge and Arc Trail, both great cards in the format.
Here are some sample lists:
4x Birds of Paradise
2x Acacyn's Pilgrim
3x Viridian Emissary
2x Phantasmal Image
1x Perilous Myr
2x Blade Splicer
1x Fiend Hunter
1x Skaab Ruinator
1x Viridian Corrupter
1x Phyrexian Metamorph
1x Solemn Simulacrum
1x Thrun, the Last Troll
2x Acidic Slime
1x Archon of Justice
1x Sun Titan
1x Wurmcoil Engine
1x Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
4x Birthing Pod
4x Ponder
2x Oblivion Ring
Lands(23)
7x Forest
4x Razorverge Thicket
3x Hinterland Harbor
3x Seachrome Coast
2x Island
2x Sunpetal Grove
1x Glacial Fortress
1x Plains
The problem here is the lack of card draw at the 3cmc slot and the lack of good 4 drops. The Sun Titan interaction is nothing to be ignored, but is it worth to compromise the rest of the deck for it? IDK. The mana is good though.
4x Birds of Paradise
1x Llanowar Elves
4x Viridian Emissary
1x Phantasmal Image
1x Perilous Myr
3x Phyrexian Rager
1x Skaab Ruinator
1x Sylvok Replica
1x Entomber Exarch
1x Phyrexian Metamorph
1x Skinrender
2x Acidic Slime
1x Morkruk Banshee
1x Grave Titan
1x Massacre Wurm
1x Reaper of the Abyss
4x Birthing Pod
4x Ponder
2x Dismember
Lands(23)
9x Forest
4x Darkslick Shores
4x Hinderland Harbor
4x Woodland Cemetary
1x Island
1x Swamp
The problem here is obviously the mana. Having no Scars fast land in the color combination really hurts. However, you are very good against aggro decks. Glissa should most likely be in here, since she does recur Pod and Ancient Grudge is back. The plus side is having the 3 drop card draw guy, and just fantastic 4-drops. Also, the combination of Grave Titan, Wurm, and Reaper make for some spicy late game. This deck seems like it is a better deck without Pod it play as opposed to Bant Pod (as it's bombs don't need any other creature and it has less singletons)
4x Birds of Paradise
1x Llanowar Elves
4x Viridian Emissary
1x Phantasmal Image
1x Perilous Myr
3x Skaab Ruinator
1x Deceiver Exarch
1x Sylvok Replica
1x Oxida Scrapmelter
1x Phyrexian Metamorph
2x Acidic Slime
1x Urabrask the Hidden
2x Inferno Titan
Spells(11)
4x Birthing Pod
4x Ponder
2x Arc Trail
1x Ancient Grudge
7x Forest
4x Copperline Gorge
4x Hinterland Harbor
3x Island
2x Mountain
2x Sulfer Falls
1x Rootbound Crag
Much better manabase than BUG and only slightly worse than Bants. It is much more aggressive than any of the above lists and will prly win any Pod mirror thanks to Ancient Grudge.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
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BUG
4 Birds of Paradise
2 Llanowar Elves
1 Viridian Emissary
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Perilous Myr
4 Phyrexian Rager
1 Glissa, the Traitor
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Skaab Ruinator
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Evil Twin
1 Skinrender
2 Acidic Slime
1 Morkrut Banshee
1 Kessig Cagebreakers
1 Reaper from the Abyss
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
4 Birthing Pod
4 Ponder
2 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
Lands: 23
4 Hinterland Harbor
4 Darkslick Shores
4 Woodland Cemetery
1 Island
2 Swamp
8 Forest
Bant
4 Birds of Paradise
3 Avacyn’s Pilgrim
1 Viridian Emissary
2 Phantasmal Image
1 Mentor of the Meek
3 Blade Splicer
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Viridian Corrupter
1 Solemn Simulacrum
2 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Hero of Bladehold
1 Stonehorn Dignitary
2 Acidic Slime
1 Archon of Justice
1 Sun Titan
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
4 Birthing Pod
4 Ponder
2 Venser, the Sojourner
Lands: 22
4 Hinterland Harbor
4 Razorverge Thicket
4 Seachrome Coast
2 Island
1 Plains
5 Forest
2 Ghost Quarter
Haven't decided on a full SB for either.
BUG has more card draw and board control, while Bant has more explosive creatures and a more solid mana base. With standard be so boring (to me, at least) for so long, I'm very happy to be having a hard time deciding between two versions of such a fun and competitive deck.
—Jaya Ballard, task mage
Thanks to Avatar for the rockin' Sig and Avvy!
3 Avacyn's Pilgrim
2 Phantasmal Image
2 Viridian Emissary
1 Spellskite
1 Snapcaster Mage
1 Viridian Corrupter
1 Deceiver Exarch
1 Skaab Ruinator
1 Blade Splicer
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Stonehorn Dignitary
1 Archon of Justice
1 Acidic Slime
1 Razor Hippogriff
1 Sun Titan
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Sunblast Angel
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
4 Ponder
4 Birthing Pod
4 Hinterland Harbor
4 Razorverge Thicket
2 Seachrome Coast
1 Moorland Haunt
1 Buried Ruin
1 Plains
6 Forest
3 Island
There are a bunch of sideboard options available, like Melira, Thrun, Phyrexian Revoker, Mirran Crusader, etc.
Reaper from the Abyss
Creature - Demon Flying
Morbid - At the beginning of each end step, if a creature died this turn, destroy target non-Demon creature.
What this actually means is that we lose whatever we podded into if black has this demon in play.
granted it is a 6-drop, but MBC could be viable again in a slower non-valakut format.
white also gets a couple cards that have potential to hose any pod deck:
Stony Silence
:1mana::symw: Enchantment Activated abilities of artifacts can't be activated.
Nevermore
:1mana::symw::symw: Enchantment As Nevermore enters the battlefield, name a nonland card.
The named card can't be cast.
Both of these require us to probably run SB 4x naturalize, or possibly a few more MD answers to artifacts and enchantments (that aren't ETB effects from creatures due to Torpor Orb continuing to be a haterade staple)
-me
Play 4 Beast Within if you're so worried about hate. Ultimately, the pride of a good Birthing Pod deck is its ability to be successful without the Birthing Pod. It will obviously be insane if you get one active, though, so try to play it and activate it in the same turn, preferably without passing priority.

Creature - Elemental

Morbid - When Hollowhenge Scavenger enters the battlefield, if a creature died this turn, you gain 5 life
Seems like a good replacement for obsinite baloth? I'm suprised no one is looking to run him yet, I feel there will be a lot of aggro soon
Vi - Apollo - Armory - Sokai - Kylar - Gerr - CT -Dmitri
Amaya - Lilith - Lazarus - Yoko the Fox - Eli
Assume Nothing."
I don't like that he's a cmc 5. I'd rather play Peace Strider.
Here are some ideas for replacements:
3 Drop:
Skaab Ruinator
Geist of Saint Traft (Innistrad!)
Blade Splicer
Sylvok Replica
4 Drop
Peace Strider (Does almost the same thing for us as Obstinate Baloth)
Woodland Sleuth (Innistrad!)
Hero of Bladehold (Best for sideboard, unless the format is really slow)
Woodland Sleuth is super as at least a one of i think. After sacing an acidic slime copy phantasmal image we can pod for deceiver exarch, untap pod and get a woodland sleuth to get back phantasmal image
N/A
Modern:
Grishoalbrand / Grixis Death's Shadow / Jeskai Control / UW Control
...why do we want to get Phantasmal Image back? Better to leave it in the graveyard for later Sun Titan shennanigans.
4th place at CCC&G Pro Tour
Chances of bad hands (<2 or >4 land):
21: 28.9%
22: 27.5%
23: 26.3%
24: 25.5%
25: 25.1%
26: 25.3%
N/A
Modern:
Grishoalbrand / Grixis Death's Shadow / Jeskai Control / UW Control
yea but not RDW insane turn 3 win aggro. the rotation of goblin guide means that the aggro route will be more WW than RDW or Goblins.
while the lifegain is nice, i dont think we will be hurting as much in the aggro matchup to need a 5 drop gain 5 lifer that removes slots from acidic slime.
-me
The Reaper is also an excellent 6-drop for any black-based Pod (it's the main reason I'd consider BUG over Bant). Plus, if it's too much of a problem, black Pod can SB out Sheoldred, Whispering One for Rune-Scarred Demon + answer and/or any Pod can run Beast Within.
This. Any Pod that uses white can go Peace Strider -> Razor Hippogriff -> Sunblast Angel and pretty well ruin any aggro player's day. In GB, you've got Glissa, the Traitor to keep recurring it.
—Jaya Ballard, task mage
yea i always forget that Beast Within is a card. I have never run it in any of the many variations of Pod (GB, Jund, Bant, RUG, RUG Twin, and BUG). Have always found something else for that slot. Guess i need to start running it if cards like dismember wont work anymore.
-me
I think Bant, Junk and RUG will be most viable honestly, because it's really important to have one SOM dual land that includes green. I used to be an avid junk pod player, but I'm starting to lean more towards Bant.. Here are my two build ideas for the upcoming season:
4 Birds of Paradise
1 Llanowar Elves
2 Viridian Emissary
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Spellskite
1 Perilous Myr
2 Phyrexian Rager
1 Glissa, the Traitor
1 Viridian Corrupter
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Skinrender
1 Entomber Exarch
1 Solemn Simulacrum
2 Acidic Slime
1 Morkrut Banshee
1 Archon of Justice
1 Brutalizer Exarch
1 Massacre Wurm
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Artifacts:
4 Birthing Pod
Enchantments:
3 Oblivion Ring
Instants:
3 Beast Within
Lands:
4 Razorverge Thicket
4 Woodland Cemetery
1 Buried Ruin
8 Forest
4 Swamp
2 Plains
3 Memoricide
3 Creeping Corrosion
3 Go for the Throat
1 Peace Strider
1 Razor Hippogriff
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
1 Acidic Slime
4 Birds of Paradise
2 Avacyn's Pilgrim
1 Viridian Emissary
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Spellskite
1 Perilous Myr
1 Blade Splicer
1 Viridian Corrupter
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Deceiver Exarch
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
1 Glimmerpoint Stag
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Razor Hippogriff
1 Archon of Justice
1 Brutalizer Exarch
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Sun Titan
1 Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Artifacts:
4 Birthing Pod
Enchantments:
3 Oblivion Ring
Instants:
3 Beast Within
Lands:
4 Razorverge Thicket
4 Hinterland Harbor
1 Buried Ruin
8 Forest
4 Plains
2 Island
3 Creeping Corrosion
3 Naturalize
2 Mimic Vat
1 Skaab Ruinator
1 Fiend Hunter
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Acidic Slime
1 Peace Strider
1 Stonehorn Dignitary
1 Sunblast Angel
Obviously the two builds are really similar, with a few key maindeck cards changed between to fit the appropriate colors.. But I feel as though Bant Pod has much stronger sideboard opportunities. That being said, I really think Fiend Hunter belongs in the sideboard. There will be so much maindeck removal around that he's just going to create a 2-for-1 for your opponent. I'd rather side him against decks that will have a harder time removing him, like Tempered Steel.
I think we should try to come up with a new and improved list of the top creature cards of each color to help people decide which color combination they want to play. I'll start with a few of my suggestions and I'll update this post as other people add more.
Red
Inferno Titan
Urabrask the Hidden
Hero of Oxid Ridge
Oxidda Scrapmelter
Falkenrath Marauders
Blue
Snapcaster Mage
Deceiver Exarch
Skaab Ruinator
Phantasmal Image
Frost Titan
Master Thief
White
Blade Splicer
Fiend Hunter
Mentor of the Meek
Mirran Crusader
Hero of Bladehold
Stonehorn Dignitary
Glimmerpoint Stag
Razor Hippogriff
Archon of Justice
Sun Titan
Sunblast Angel
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Black
Phyrexian Rager
Glissa, the Traitor
Skinrender
Entomber Exarch
Morkrut Banshee
Vengeful Pharaoh
Massacre Wurm
Grave Titan
Reaper from the Abyss
Sheoldred, Whispering One
Green
Birds of Paradise
Llanowar Elves
Avacyn's Pilgrim
Viridian Emissary
Viridian Corrupter
Thrun, the Last Troll
Woodland Sleuth
Acidic Slime
Kessig Cagebreakers
Brutalizer Exarch
Artifact
Spellskite
Phyrexian Revoker
Perilous Myr
Sylvok Replica
Phyrexian Metamorph
Solemn Simulacrum
Peace Strider
Precursor Golem
Wurmcoil Engine
Can anyone think of anything else?
Draft My Cube!
Bant lists are generally a bit lighter in the removal department, so it's decently likely that you won't have any instants or sorceries to recur. Makes a bit more sense in BUG, I guess, but they still tend to lean towards creature answers (like Skinrender) over spells.
I'm thinking the future meta might call for more copy effects than the ones we already run: I wanna have at least 5 on the main and possibly one more on the side. What do you guys think? It'll be an answer to Geist of Saint Traft and every other legend people decide to run right after rotation...
Now playing:
Standard-- UB Brains
Legacy-- UB Dredges
Commander-- U Sakashima
Nope. It costs too much and ETB effects are better than morbid ones. Life shouldn't be a concern anyway.
Seriously? Really...? Swords are two of the greatest cards in T2 right now, and if we're given the option to run them it's an opportunity that should not be passed.
Not the focus of the deck at all. 4 is way too many just to bring back some Ponders. And Gitaxian Probe really isn't good for this deck.
Eh, I think four's enough.
Some other opinions thus far:
-Skaab Ruinator is not a good card. It is too conditionally costed, not fun to Pod into, and not worth the cost if it were to die from harcasting.
-Oblivion Ring > Beast Within. The 3/3's a pain, no matter how much you want to argue for the card.
I would also like to point out that all of Koopa's lists are amazing, and I especially love the RUG one. Well done.
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