Brainstorming: Picking Poison

by Gothy on 21 February 2015

Main Deck (60 cards)

Sideboard (15 cards)

Instants (4)


Planeswalkers (1)


Enchantments (2)

Submit a list of cards below to bulk import them all into your sideboard. Post one card per line using a format like "4x Birds of Paradise" or "1 Blaze", you can even enter just the card name by itself like "Wrath of God" for single cards.


Deck Description

We all know the feeling on rotation: 'What the hell do I do now?!'
I've got that feeling from innistrad, and I actually quite like this time in deck building in standard, because the new set is still making an impact and there are no set 'Win always' decks like the Jund of Innistrad-RTR.

I'm going to write about Mid-range, aggro and control, the best brew will get a feature in the podcasts, more to come about podcasts and videos later!

So this article is going to chat about how you start your new deck and why you would choose that new deck, and let's just say this time that Meta doesn't matter as much right now, because its your deck and I'm a hard subscriber to you'll play better with a weaker deck you know than with a better deck you don't.

On Wednesday we touched on the 'Control or Aggro' however the featured deck this week is a Mardu Midrange deck, which is my actual deck. There were a number of decks posted up on the last article which was great, but some that I looked out seemed really jumbled and I wanted to aim this one at at that by looking at the core values, so without further ado, lets get to it!

Aggro:
Aggro is superficially the most simple deck in standard, however when you get your opponent down to 5, then it becomes one of the most complex plans in the game, especially in a standard heavily populated by Courser of Kruphix, Wingmate Roc and Sorin, Solemn Visitor to name a few. So let's say the game is in thirds, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-whenever the game ends. Aggro is most powerful in the first third of the game, and seeks to end the game within that first third, so your aim is to make your deck do that quick as possible, like the mono-red deck from last week. It's very good if you can have an extra dynamic to get around those early blockers or to kill them, burn/buffs/pump or recursion can be that final dynamic you need. Red is the traditional aggro colour, however Abzan has grabbed reliability and made it its own, slowing the deck down but adding extra dynamics to allow it to push into the midgame. Whoever can do the best aggro brew (in my opinion) will get a feature in the podcast,

Midrange:
Midrange decks are the current beasts of standard, they dominate the midgame, but recently they've been pushing into the early game, but with the addition of Ugin, they simply stomp everywhere. Midrange is all about choosing your poison and seeing if you got cyanide for you or your opponent. Midrange is a collection of the best cards in those colours, that also may have some synergy, for example Seeker of the Way and the amount of removal here, or soulfire grand master and any burn. Concentrate on playing the best cards in your colours with some powerful disruption backing you up, you just need to get an edge with a 2 for 1 or a well timed removal spell could be the winning or losing. Midrange plays some of the best cards in standard, and I would suggest this play style for those getting competitive because of the power level, again with the brewing challenge, I'm looking forward to it!

Control:
Control seeks to take it slow, be the reactive deck and then dominate with a bomb. Currently control is weaker right now the only main one is U/B control, however control can perform still if it is able to stunt early growth. Control uses board sweepers to keep everything clear whilst keeping its hand full with lots of draw spells so that it can keep going. If you like being reactive and having total control of the late game. I wouldn't suggest this currently, but hey I've never been one for control. Brewing competition on again!

Now its up to you guys to pick your poison for FNM and beyond!

A quick note on content, I'll hopefully be beginning some videos and pod casts on youtube so keep an eye out for notes on when they will be, hope you enjoyed guys and keeeeeeeeep brainstorming!

How to Play

I play it like a derpasaurus rex of reduce their life total while not letting them play anything!

Deck Tags

  • Standard
  • Article Deck
  • Mardu
  • Brainstorming

Deck at a Glance

Social Stats

25
Likes

This deck has been viewed 3,832 times.

Mana Curve

Mana Symbol Occurrence

21011280

Card Legality

  • Not Legal in Standard
  • Legal in Modern
  • Legal in Vintage
  • Legal in Legacy

Deck discussion for Brainstorming: Picking Poison

Infect is pretty good if you're looking for poison llol.

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 22:17

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I got mad at infect -.- Couldn't even beat someone who mulled to 4 -.-

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 22:30

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Sorry dude. It's fun to play. Not fun to play against. Also, early congrats on another hot page deck.

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 22:34

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This is what boredom brings. What would you classify it as?
http://www.mtgvault.com/kjsj3/decks/end-of-the-crux/

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 22:51

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This one hasn't made it yet, and I was playing infect

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 23:44

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Ouch, yeah that must have sucked. It will make it soon.

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 23:48

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I hope so and lingering souls man!

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Posted 21 February 2015 at 23:51

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KJSJ3- That's one of the other deck types not mentioned here- I would classify it as attrition/control. Many midrange decks are also attrition based.

Gothy- You forgot the classic 4th deck- combo.

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 00:39

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That's because this is more for newer players and combo doesn't really exist in standard or is very complicated and easily screwed up

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 01:01

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Jeskai Ascendancy combo isn't a thing.

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 01:10

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That and Temur ascendency are things, but I want this to be less about you can only choose from this group of decks and let people take their own path, like I have with this Mardu list

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 01:12

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Inst the temur combo more of an interaction than a combo? ...all my stuff is above power 4 and i always draw cards is awesome though. Great article again :D I hope this gets top of hotlist!

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 10:50

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@Necrumlsice: The combo uses Temur Ascendancy, Temur Sabertooth, and Voyaging Satyr+Nykthos or Karametra's Acolyte to produce infinite mana (probably others as well, but I'm not intimately familiar with the deck). You use Temur Sabertooth's activated ability to return your mana dork, play the same mana dork which has haste due to Temur Ascendancy, and doing this you can produce infinite mana. At that point, Temur Ascendancy's draw a card clause will usually let you draw your whole deck if you want to and play all of your cards with your infinite mana, then attack with your entire deck which still has haste. It's pretty gruesome.

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 11:12

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Well Justen, I think you jinxed it xD

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 22:29

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Is that why you are on the front page Toby?

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 23:45

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Grrrrrrr :P

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 00:16

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.....infinate mana, card draw AND haste...IS AWESOME!!!
...but 4 moving parts...
BUT the deck doesnt need the parts to win right?

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 00:42

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:its basically a g/r devotion deck which can suddenly combo and win, but adding the combo weakens the devotion style

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 00:44

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Slightly, yes. However in a format you expect to be defined by stalled board states, it's an excellent choice. If monogreen rises in popularity, so will it.

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 05:29

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A friend of mine piloted my rakdos Control deck to 4th at fnm (3-1) (1st time being tested). He played against temur Ascendancy. (Only loss in main was to my orzhov warrior deck piloted by another friend 2-1. Warriors went on to be 1-3.)

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 05:37

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CiaranMadgrin has deleted this comment.

Posted 22 February 2015 at 21:08

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This particular article was on standard, but the main parts of magic I talk about are midrange and standard

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 21:15

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That's what I thought. Can't hurt to ask though, right?

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 21:25

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why did I right Midrange, I meant Modern, feel free to repost, although I'm not sure I'm going to get as many responses as I did before

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Posted 22 February 2015 at 22:29

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Hey dude!

I see that Mardu has been most popular in midrange similar to the other clans. However, I personally have a Mardu aggro deck with midrangey components (removal). I was wondering if you could give me suggestions on upgrades for my Mardu aggro deck.

4x monastery swiftspear
2x Mardu woe-reaper
4x seeker of the way
4x chief of the edge
2x goblin rabblemaster
4x butcher of the horde

4x gods willing
4x despise
4x lightning strike
4x crackling doom
2x Mardu ascendancy

2x battlefield forge
4x caves of koilos
2x bloodstained mire
1x urborg, tomb of yawgmoth
3x swamp
4x plains
6x mountain

All suggestions are appreciated!

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 23:33

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Cut ascendency for more rabble masters and change despise for thought seize,the new 4 mana black guy has a place here

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Posted 23 February 2015 at 23:46

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yes i did want more rabble masters and I'll make sure to replace them soon, but I have to wait for their cost to calm the hell down because at my lgs they are like $17 and I only have $30.

Thoughtsieze is a good card, but I am worried about losing too much life especially with my pain lands. This paranoia caused me to switch my war-name aspirant out for seeker of the way. If they are really THAT good I will get them soon then.

other than that, the only thing is the "4 mana black guy" which I am not familiar with. is he a new FRF card?

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 01:57

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Brutal horde chief! And seeker is better than aspirant anyway, and you're fast enough to kill someone before your life total is relevant, trust me, unless its mono red or U/W heroic you win the race. I'm not sure on shipping costs to US if that is where you are from, but I use EU card Market for my expensive dudes, my mate got 4 Italian promo rabble masters for £20!

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 07:40

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Check tcgplayer or starcitygames for prices. You could also search for the card on the vault and check it that way.

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 14:21

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Ohh!

I really dislike brutal hordecheif and I would rather run wing mate roc instead.

I live in Canada so these cards tend to be more expensive just cause' of the exchange rate, and getting cards on amazon is a hassle for delivery.

One more thing I think gods willing is a highly underrated card for mardu, especially with cards like banishing light and chained to the rocks.

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 22:29

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Fair enough, Wingmate Roc is a total beast, what about Mana Deprived? I think that is Alexander Hayne's sponsor, so they might be the best people for Canada? Well I used to run mono-white aggro and brave the elements was stunning, so ye I can see Gods willing being a good little card, not sure I'd play 4 though

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 22:49

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Www.pucatrade.com !!!!!

Card prices are the same all over the world and you don't pay postage!

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Posted 28 February 2015 at 17:07

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Very nice outlining the difference between mid range and aggro. It's a gray area that a lot of players don't seem to grasp.

What I would like to see would be an article as to what makes a card good, and a card bad. I played against a kid who was running four meditation puzzles and I was running a UB. He laughed hysterically as I let his life climb to over thirty while I fended him off at ten, and then chewed at him with a Stormtide Leviathon.

See what I'm trying to say?

Also, why Sarkhan over Elspeth here? I would think she would be worth at least one slot mb

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 01:32

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I'll give that a go, especially relevant because of an arguement over aven skirmisher, and Elspeth isn't main board because she is slow and grindy, while as this deck is more towards the aggro spectrum because it lacks big green bombs or Ugin, so Elspeth would lack synergy, she is in the board for power level against abzan and some other midrange because board stalls and against control as hordeling outburst number 5!

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Posted 24 February 2015 at 07:37

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Seems like a solid list for sure. I got dominated by a somewhat similar one on Game Day pretty recently. Excellent little artice there as well. I'd certainly be interested in checking out some podcasts and videos.

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 07:24

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Thanks :))))

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:26

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I find Magma Jet, Valorous Stance, and Sarkhan to be incredibly under-performing. Magma Jet is slower than wild slash and a single copy isn't going to add much consistency. Valorous stance is either really good, or just makes you look like an idiot. And Sarkhan either dies immediately, the turn after, or becomes a -1 or -2 in the mirror because of crackling doom. I'd suggest replacing it with wild slash, stoke the flames, or stormbreath dragons.

Your deck should have 4 wild slash in any configuration between the main and sideboards (I do 3-1 or 4-0 in Jeskai tokens). It takes out key creatures in aggro, tokens in tokens, burns vs. control and midrange, and in the mirror can kill stormbreath when you have a butcher out. It has relevance in every match up.

I'd switch the quantities on crackling doom and lighting strike simply because crackling doom is 1/2 of a dead card vs. control, and I'd rather have 3 damage for 2 than 2 for 3. The only creatures you really need crackling doom for are silumgar and stormbreath. Also being dependent on WRB on T3 is pretty meh when all you ever want to do is play rabblemaster.

I stopped playing Mardu because Mardu just looses out on card advantage. I'd suggest putting either 2-3 Read the Bones or 2-3 Bitter Revelation in your decklist (probably in SB) in order to keep up with the decks playing Abzan Charm, Read the Bones, Treasure Cruise, Dig Through Time, Courser of Kruphix.... and lots more.

I would play 2 Urborg. The chance of you getting 2 in your opening hand is slim, and even if you do you can always tap the one in play before playing the second.

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 08:38

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I'm sorry but that is not right at all. Wild Slash is a terrible card here, it is just Shock with a useless upside and that is just not good enough, while as magma jet allows me to scry 2, which is why its in there. Stance deals with courser and rhino and can save most notably a rabblemaster or a butcher. Lightning strike is good but Crackling Doom is outstanding and has always been just that, and I don't always want to play a rabblemaster, crackling doom is easy to cast and brilliant, its one of the main reasons to play mardu. Card advantage isn't currently been an issue because almost every draw is live, I've replaced 2 land with 2 Stoke the Flames and I'm not putting myself in the Urborg double position, especially when sometimes I don't want to play it because I don't want to give certain decks black. Sarkhan is amazing, he wins or saves games.

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 19:08

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You tell em' buddy.

I found stoke the flames to be underpreforming for my deck because the chances of me getting 2 of the same colour are extremely slim same with bile blight. Maybe in midrange you have a better chance of actually casting them but I greatly prefer cards like crackling doom with 2 or 3 different colours. That is why for this deck, I recommend changing out hordeling outburst for mardu ascendancy.

Surprisingly I have always preferred lightning strike over magma jet, as your opponent's life total is your priority. Stance, of course, is a must have. Removal AND protection for your dudes. What more is there to ask for?

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 21:47

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Magma jet is just to smooth the draws in a late game. Mardu ascendncy isnt very good, hordeling outburst is one of the best midrange cards

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 22:08

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yes but ascendancy is easier to pay for/cast and lasts longer. Also it provides extra protection for your dudes. The 1 extra damage from lightning strike makes a huge difference, especially for killing creatures like a triggered seeker.

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 22:22

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Hordeling outburst isn't situational and makes an immediate impact though, and that's why I have 3 lightning strikes and only 1 magma jet

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Posted 25 February 2015 at 23:20

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Mardu Ascendancy just doesn't do enough for me. It demands that I have a field of non token creatures in play, and I dont always count on them staying around for too long anyways. If you want a three slot token pooper I think Brimaz is a better option, especially if you're "aggro".

Agree with gothy, outburst is almost always good.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 00:14

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Outburst is too good though, imagine a t3 outburst into Sorin, that happens a lot! Brimaz also just gets hit by a single removal spell while as the goblins are more difficult to get rid of, they also fuel the butcher

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 00:18

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while I agree that mardu ascendancy is situational, I absolutely love the +0/+3 combat trick to surprise your opponent. I imagine hordeling outburst being used in mono red more than mardu, but we'll see.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 02:40

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Yeah, but Ascendancy won't do jack squat against my crux/hostilities.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 03:27

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Your control will do jack squat while I kill it ;)

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 19:29

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You should build me some sort of competitive control deck. :)

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:19

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Well I'll probably feature it on Sunday, I haven't been able to write one this week yet, just hasn't been logistically possible because I'm just exhausted from work

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:21

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Eventually, when I get another job and save some money, I'm going to come visit.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:24

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England? GP London?

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:31

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Yes, you. Not anytime soon, but I have intentions.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:36

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Fair enough, try and do it so it co-insides with a big event

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:39

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How does the "command chain" work for events? Have only done fnm.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:58

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FNM, PPTQ, GPT, PTQ, GP then PT and Star City Games does its on thing, but they dont really operate here yet, GP London is there first event in England bar game night

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 21:07

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you may want to put in Krenko, Mob Boss. Its put a goblin token for each goblin creature you control ability will help butcher of the horde ability, and basically all of goblin rabblemaster's abilities.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 06:19

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Last I checked krenko wasn't in standard, and gothy more posted this for the attached article.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 07:32

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good point. yah, then krenko wont work, since it isn't in standard

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 13:32

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Cheers Dorito, and Krenko would be interesting if he was standard XD

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 19:30

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Add intruder alarm XD.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:20

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I'll add you if you aren't careful!!! ;) xD

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:27

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I don't think I would be tournament legal.

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Posted 26 February 2015 at 20:30

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Hey dudes, I've actually posted a deck of mine. Was wondering if I could get some input, feedback, thoughts and opinions on it.
http://www.mtgvault.com/dorito1080/decks/army-of-darkness/

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Posted 27 February 2015 at 03:40

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http://www.mtgvault.com/gothy/decks/brainstorming-promised-land/ The first modern brainstorming article! Go check it out!

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Posted 01 March 2015 at 21:53

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Excuse me Gothy, I really need help with a deck themed around assault formation, and I realize that it may not be the optimal deck, but I really want to see if I can pull it off, and I think I can as well. Here is the link. http://www.mtgvault.com/giddywithglee43/decks/dtk-test-assault-formation/

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Posted 05 April 2015 at 13:25

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Not public :( do a deck search on the vault for assault formation. Some have already been posted and they might help.

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Posted 05 April 2015 at 13:31

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I'm afraid I can't currently access it, but when I can I'll take a look, might be a bit slow as I'm on spring break in mexico

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 02:37

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ha ha I was in feburary!

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 04:11

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public now!

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 04:12

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You want to take a trip to Florida lol.

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 05:51

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florida and mexico!

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 09:58

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You guys could come visit me in Florida. :)

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 13:00

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I'll pass... did you go to gp miami?

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 13:11

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I didn't. A few guys from my shop did though.

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 13:45

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I'm stuck in playa del Carmen xD why didn't you got to Miami?

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 14:22

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Was out visiting relatives the same weekend. That's when I did that 2hg.

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 15:10

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ah ok! I did 2hg for pre release, we came 2nd

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 17:52

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well I went 5 and 4... and I am only 13 so I am proud of myself!

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 20:39

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No excuse I'm only 16 xD

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 22:52

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True...so do you think I could like take this to a gp or something, or at least the idea? I am skeptical.

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 22:58

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I would definitely test it. It should be able to function without assault formation.

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Posted 06 April 2015 at 23:56

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Like if I don't get it in my opening hand?

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Posted 07 April 2015 at 00:07

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Gonna brutally honest and say no, if u dont have it you lose and Decks can still tussle with you if you have it

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Posted 07 April 2015 at 04:10

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that's kind!

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Posted 07 April 2015 at 09:18

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Cruel to be kind, I know how it feels to go 0-5 drop with a deck you've slaved over for months, that is tier 1, you know inside out and have had 4-0 results at FNM regularly. You need to be playing a pro deck to GP.

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Posted 07 April 2015 at 14:19

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