Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 15:52:17 +0000 From: Scott Wills Subject: MVLite Format for upcoming tournaments. Now that Weatherlight is released, what do people think about the 'new' Mirage/Visions/Weatherlight (MVLite) format? Over here in the UK, and in many countries around the world, this will be the format used for the various Grand Prix events, and I would like to start some discussion regarding this format. Initial inspection suggests R/B is very strong. You've got the best creature removal spells by far (Incinerate, Banish, Nekrataal), some very solid creatures (Shadow Guildmage, Suqata Lancer, Wildfire Emissary, Fallen Askari to name but a few) but there is no real enchantment removal. Here's my MVLite R/B deck: 3 x Shadow Guildmage 2 x Keeper Of Kookus 2 x Goblin Elite Infantry 2 x Fallen Askari 2 x Serrated Biskelion 3 x Suqata Lancers 3 x Viashino Sandstalkers 4 x Nekrataal 2 x Lava Hounds 1 x Morinfen 1 x Gallowbraid 4 x Incinerate 1 x Hammer 1 x Thunderbolt 1 x Kaerveks Torch 2 x Fireblast 1 x Doomsday 2 x Kaerveks Purge 1 x Bone Harvest 1 x Heart Of Bogardan 4 x Rocky Tar Pit 2 x Gemstone Mine 2 x Undiscovered Paradise 7 x Mountain 7 x Swamp 61 Cards. Lack of enchantment removal and lack of reset buttons are my two main concerns about this R/B deck. There aren't really many 'sweepers' in MVLite though - Savage Twister, Crypt Rats, Wave Of Teror spring immediately to mind, as does Heart Of Bogardan. All of these are a little vulnerable, with the exception of Savage Twister. Maybe R/B/g would be the way to go, splashing for Twisters in the main deck, and Emerald Charm in the side? You do need to be able to get rid of enchantments, as simple things like Dense Foliage could give a deck hell in this environment. Scott scott.wills@nene.ac.uk