Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 04:42:02 GMT From: Daniel DuBois Subject: Re: Ertai's Familier/Necratog On Sat, 16 Aug 1997 10:08:53 +0900, "Douglas W. Moore" wrote: >My friend is going to a Mir-Vis-Wea Qualifier and is wondering about this >deck. Can someone send me a private decklist and strategy guide. Here's my current version, based on Mike Donais' version according the Gary Wise PTQ report (which you can find on www.thedojo.com) Creatures: 33 4 Shadow Guildmage // these guys are just too good, both // abilities are great in this deck 4 Circling Vultures 4 Fallen Askari 4 Barrow Ghoul 2 Freewind Falcon // presideboarding against red in a creature 4 Ertai's Familiar 2 Serrated Biskelion // presideboarding against River Boas, // Necratogs, and just generally useful // against all kinds of weenies. Plus it's // a creature. 3 Man-o'-War 3 Necratog 3 Nekrataal Spells: 5 4 Song of Blood // Power card 1 Ebony Charm // pre-sideboarding against other Ertai decks, // and can make a Necratog unblockable for // the kill Sure, Necromancy, Funeral Charm, Urborg Justice, Tombstone Stairwell, Inferal Tribute, or Kaervek's Torch all looks real good, but the goal is that Ertai be milling creatures, not cool spells. It's all about Thwap, Thwap, Thwap. I am trying to find room for Ophidans however. Land: 22 (Might be too much) 2 Bad River 2 Rocky Tar Pit 3 Gemstone Mine 3 Undiscovered Paradise 2 Mountain 2 Island 8 Swamp SB: 3 Disenchant // Fear the Aether Flash, the Sandsipose SB: 3 Heat Wave // I laugh at Floodgates as I hit for 14 SB: 2 Honorable Passage SB: 2 Urborg Justice // Better than Dark Banishing. Great to // cast when you don't pay the upkeep on a // Barrow Ghoul. Kill Duskriders, Maros SB: 1 City of Solitude These are iffy right now.... SB: 1 Kaervek's Hex SB: 1 Reign of Terror SB: 1 Benthic Djinn // Haven't tried this, but a Song'ed // 5/3 islandwalker simply must hurt blue SB: 1 Dirtwater Wraith // Nekrataal replacement against black I played some strong G and Gr decks the last few nights, with River Boas, Karoo Merkrats, Granger Guildmages, and Jolreal's Centaurs. I went something like 3-4 against it, so I dropped Skulking Ghosts, added more Shadow Guildmages and Serrated Bikselions in main. That's also why you see Kaervek's Hex in the side. I'd like to go two, but I tossed in a second Reign of Terror in case there's a Empirical Falcon deck at the tourney. As for strategy guide: well, pray for an early Ertai, and 'serve the beat down'. Two Song of Blood in opening hand is almost like two Fireblast in opening hand for a red player, it just about guarantees victory. Don't forget you can pay U to have Ertai stay in. If you have lots a GY food, it's usually best to have that extra attacker (especially if you have a Song of Blood). Also, if someone tries to Ebony Charm on your turn, and you have a Necratog out, consider feeding your tog in response to make them waste the card. Or did you mean strategy against it? Can't help much there, it's a strong deck. Phyrexian Furnaces in main is probably a good idea, since they're cantrips anyway. Really though, I don't fear the furnace. With 4 Ertai's, 4 Songs, and considering you likely have to kill my in-play creatures or die, I can fill my graveyard much faster than you can empty it. One tip: if you're playing red, don't burn my creatures, burn me. I'll glady take comments on my personal touches to the deck. ----- Daniel DuBois ClickOver, Inc. Senior Software Engineer (415) 322-8336