I. Why Play Sneak Attack?
II. Card Choices
III. Creatures
IV. Sideboard Suggestions
V. Sample Decklists
VI. Sample Matchup Analysis and Tournament Reports
Section I – Why Play Sneak Attack?
Sneak Attack is basically a control-combo deck; however, the means by which you control can be easily modified. Some players prefer to use it in a UR shell, using countermagic to protect your means of cheating a threat into play, and others will use a Chalice Stompy shell, using some combination of Chalice of the Void, Trinisphere and Magus of the Moon [Blood Moon].
This deck is hilarious against aggro and aggro-control, as often letting Emrakul hit the board results in them losing their entire (or damn near) board position. Most decks can’t deal with Emrakul, especially if he already had a chance to swing even once.
I guess the other obvious reason for playing Sneak Attack is the opportunity to use giant ????ing creatures and get them into play nice and early. This deck can make crazy plays nice and early on, which can include Emrakul landing as early as turn one. The random “I win” plays, coupled with the almost Reanimator-like “unfair” aspect can be absolutely devastating.
Section II – Card Choices
Sneak Attack – The deck’s namesake. If you don’t know why we play this or try to debate it, just leave. I’m not even kidding.
Through The Breach – One-time use Sneak Attack, usually used in the mono-red builds, although has sneaked [lol] its way into some of the UR builds.
Show and Tell – Another way to sneak your fatties into play. Remember, this doesn’t have to put in a creature (I have, on multiple occasions, used it to put Sneak Attack into play so I could activate it a turn earlier), but they also get to put something in. Usually, it won’t be too much of an issue, but can randomly be relevant (see, Oblivion Ring, Sower of Temptation)
Brainstorm/Ponder – Dig
Daze/Force of Will – Free Countermagic.
Spell Pierce – Spell Pierce has been earning its spot in legacy ever since its printing. Many of the problems that can arise can often be answered by this fella’ here.
Echoing Truth – Helps answer problem permanents.
Wipe Away – Virtually uncounterable answer to problem permanents
Chalice of the Void/Trinisphere – Lock pieces for mono-red or UR intuition builds
Magus of the Moon/Blood Moon – More lock pieces. Blood Moon can nearly singlehandedly demolish so many decks in the format.
Intuition – [I actually can’t speak for this card; I haven’t tested it and have only seen it on deck check. If anyone has tested this, let me know how you feel about it]
Seething Song/Lotus Petal/Chrome Mox/Simian Spirit Guide – Mana Acceleration. Be careful not to overdo it though; there’s nothing worse than a dead draw late game
Sensei’s Divining Top – Again, more dig. With 8 fetchlands, it’s nice to be able to make sure you’re only getting rid of the crap you don’t need.
Section III – Noteworthy Creatures:
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn – Right off the bat, you’ll be able to tell that Emrakul is one scary mother when sneaked into play. We’re looking at a creature that’s 1. Virtually impossible to remove, 2. Board wipe, and 3. A kick in the teeth.
The other Eldrazi – While they each command a very strong ability, they don’t carry the same power that Emrakul does.
Progenitus – Made natural order good. Take that fact and run with it.
Woodfall Primus – Sneaks in, eats something and swings for 6. Comes back, eats something else and lives to swing for 5.
Grave Titan - When it hits play, it’s effectively 10 power worth of creatures. When it attacks, you get another 4. It offers some lasting power off Sneak Attack or Through the Breach, similar to Primus, but doesn’t offer the control aspects that Primus does.
Hellcarver Demon – Requires a more all-in strategy, hitting with the demon is a gamble. Depending on your threat density, it can make for an explosive play, but can also backfire.
Outdated creatures
Kokusho, the Evening Star – Swings for 5, then drains 5.
Hoverguard Sweepers – More of a novelty choice than anything. Turns each into an Unsummon.
Darksteel Colossus – Similar to Progenitus, although can fall to targeted removal, can be blocked, etc.
Serra Avatar – Can be big, but the reality of it is that gets chump-blocked all day long and often won’t be a full lethal swing in one attack.
Section IV – Sideboard Suggestions
Blood Moon – As mentioned above, resolved blood moon can really bend over so many decks.
Pyroblast/Red Elemental Blast – Blue shows up a lot in legacy (again, if you disagree with this statement, I shake my head in disapproval). Count this guy both as an answer to opposing countermagic as well as resolved Merfolk, Jace 2.0, etc.
Tormod’s Crypt/Relic of Progenitus/Ravenous Trap – Here’s your answer to Reanimator, dredge, and whatever grave-based decks that might come your way.
Firespout – Board Wipe. Answers hate-bears, weenie swarms, etc.
Wipe Away/Echoing Truth – Mentioned above
Spell Pierce – Mentioned above
Section V – Sample Decklists
The links that were included are no longer valid. Since deckcheck.net went under, the six lists that are linked below no longer have any real purpose. I will, however, leave them here, just in case the owner of deckcheck.net opts to pull his head out of his ass and realize that he's hurting the community more than Wizards and their new policies.