Lorwyn: the Tribaling

[morgan_coke]

This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Lorwyn: the Tribaling. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.

[Mephiston]

Originally Posted by morgan_coke

This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Loryn: the Tribaling. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.

Enjoyed it, but was amazed to see that Knucklebone Witch didn't make it into your Goblins build, especially as you mention (correctly) that Goblins do love the graveyard in this block.

I think this baby would have to be an automatic 4-of in any Standard Goblins/Boggarts deck. After all, can't be Terror'd, Shriekmaw'd or Slaughter Pact'd, and she'll get bigger faster than you can blink in any Gob deck worth its salt...

[ShinyFirefly]

glaring omission from your article.... mirror entity is missing from every deck.

mirror entity makes tribal decks viable, at least kithkin, elves, goblins, and treefolk.

[Rodent_Aggro]

your faerie deck has 3 cryptic command md and 2 sb. Uber tech

[Niadar]

It looks to me like the Elemental deck COULD have used Smokebraider even if it didn't.
Also, maybe this is more the "combo version," but Elementals seem to benefit insanely from Pandemonium. Evoke does extra, Horde of Notions becomes MUCH better, and adding Soulstoke and Nova Chaser is freaking terrifying. It is possible to get a trun-4 kill with Harbinger, Smokebraider, Soulstoke, Nova Chaser + Pandemonium. And even if you don't hit it on turn 4 it's not hard to hit.
Mono-Red elementals with pandemonium and hostility (or splashing 1 or 2 colors) seem strong (maybe stronger than this build ? )
Oh, and Mirror Entity's in the Kithkin deck.

[DS_McWerp]

.
.
.
These decks were terrible. All of them.

Fairies, Merfolk, Goblins, and Kithkin can make acceptable, good aggro or fish decks in standard, but why bother with kithkin, folks, or fairies when you can make better decks while ignoring tribal entirely. Which is a better fish three drop, Finkel or reejerey....

And no oona's prowler in the fairy deck....the best fairy, and hes not playing it. No witch in the goblins, with thoughtseize in the side, god knows why....and surgespanner is apparently gonna dominate block. Sigh, this may be one of the worst set previews I've read on this site in a while, and thats saying something.

Edit: And I didn't even mention the monstrosity that was that disgusting vivid.dec.....

[morgan_coke]

I'd like to apologize, I didn't make it clear in the article that this is not a preview/review article and that these decks were not meant to be taken as tested, vetted, ready to go to market decks. They're not. They're more of a starting point for you to go off of if that tribe color combination appeals to you.

As noted by the comments on here already, there are multiple ways to go with several of the decks, and since I was covering eight different tribes/decks, for space consideration I was forced to pick one for each and go with it. Generally I went with what seemed the most competitive, time will tell if that is correct. So, please enjoy the article for what it is, a guess at the direction each tribe will/could take in Standard and some advice on which strategies are strongest.

[lumber_of_the_beast]

Originally Posted by morgan_coke

I'd like to apologize, I didn't make it clear in the article that this is not a preview/review article and that these decks were not meant to be taken as tested, vetted, ready to go to market decks. They're not. They're more of a starting point for you to go off of if that tribe color combination appeals to you.

As noted by the comments on here already, there are multiple ways to go with several of the decks, and since I was covering eight different tribes/decks, for space consideration I was forced to pick one for each and go with it. Generally I went with what seemed the most competitive, time will tell if that is correct. So, please enjoy the article for what it is, a guess at the direction each tribe will/could take in Standard and some advice on which strategies are strongest.

Okay... So... At what point did twenty vivid lands seem competitive?

[JeroenC]

Cool article, but I don't really agree with the ranking you gave the tribes... I think it should be more like this(but then again, I'm not all that smart in the ways of Standard/Block so it's just an opinion):
1. Elves
2. Merfolk
3. Goblin
4. Elementals
5. Faeries
6. Kithkin
7. Treefolk/Giant

And then in the combinations I think they should/will be played

1. Elves
2. Merfolk/Faeries
3. Goblins
4. Elementals
5. Kithkin/Giant
6. Treefolk/Elves(yes, I think Treefolk will draw Elves all the way down, but they also won't be played on their own.)

Just as a notice, this is just my personal opinion, I loved the article though. But Smokebraider is a must-have in an Elemental deck, I think.

[The Number Wizard]

Don't agree with some parts, giants seem to be doing really well for me in block, i just play a few though :X

[Nau]

While I enjoyed reading it, some of the choices for the card were really weird.... I mean 20 vivid lands ?!?!?! The elemental precon has a less shaky manabase. You can hardly cast anything as you are always one useable land behind the opponent, and than on turn 6 IF you got the right lands and IF you still have the counters you can play Horde of Notions.... and probably can use it a maximum of two times before you ran out of counters..... But the deck will probably lose way before that in any case.

[Singer of White Line]

Where are Wanderwine Hubs? Oo

//And it's Lorwyn...

[PrideOfTheClouds]

The fact that you did not rank Faeries as the best tribe lost you all credability.

Deck
4 spellstutter sprite 4 oona's prowler 3 pestermite 4 scion of oona 1 wydwen, the biting gale 2 sower of temptation 3 mistblind clique 3 ponder 4 peppersmoke 4 rune snag 3 psionic blast 3 cryptic command	4 secluded glen 3 faerie conclave 1 urborg, tomb of yawgmoth 9 island 5 swamp

And that's just off the top of my head. Faeries are going to be a dominant aggro-control deck in the upcoming standard.

[FoxBat]

Don't really see the point of the article I'm afraid. It's hard to make accurate predictions about tribal power when you don't have good decks built for them. Some tribe creatures (treefolk, giants) have a better shot at a not-completly-one-tribe deck.

Seriously, when was Raise Dead ever any good?

[Magic Mage]

I don't frequent this forum too often, but heck whatever.

Originally Posted by PrideOfTheClouds

The fact that you did not rank Faeries as the best tribe lost you all credability.

Could he not reply with a similar rejoinder, but about your spelling of the word "credibility", or spelling in general?
That wasn't nice. Don't troll. -Woap

Originally Posted by morgan_coke / a template, maybe?

We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.

To be honest, I think that this article doesn't make me go "wow" upon sighting it. For what it's worth, an article, I'll appreciate it for that, and I thank you for providing us with the content.
As for the decks and stuff (obligatory disclaimer: though I don't really know what Magic (more like the uber-hardcore, competitive type thereof) is about) I think a couple of your decks blur the definition of "competitive"; even if it's hypothetical, a number of things detract from the deck's viability to play in a competitive environment. That is only one facet of your card choices on which I disagree with you.

Originally Posted by ShinyFirefly

glaring omission from your article.... mirror entity is missing from every deck.

If you want to include Mirror Entity in every deck, you may as well build a deck focused on it.

mirror entity makes tribal decks viable, at least kithkin, elves, goblins, and treefolk.

...to continue; besides, Mirror Entity is a white card, a card that requires white mana to play, and elves and goblins are non-white tribes in Lorwyn.
I suppose you could think of splashing white... but why would you want to run the Mirror Entity, anyway?

Good article, but there are numerous editorial problems, not to mention linguistic errors - mainly spelling (e.g. "Theiving Sprite").
Keep up the work, morgan_coke.