Subject: Re: Headache Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:09:32 -0700 From: Troy Abelseth Ok, since so many people are having problems with their versions of this deck, I'll post mine with some comments. 4x Megrim 4x Anvil of Bogardan 3x Stupor 2x Funeral Charm 2x Bottomless Pit (Notice only 2? this card does not combo well with anything) 3x Dark Ritual (Because a first turn Pit will make a Permission player Puke) 2x Death Stroke 2x Dark Banishing 2x Diabolic Edict 2x Spinning Darkness 2x Steel Golem 2x Wall of Souls (buys time to set up soft lock) 3x Winter Orb 2x Ensnaring Bridge 2x Scalding Tongs 23x Swamp 60 Total The biggest thing to remeber about this deck is that you aren't playing a regular attack/discard deck. You are playing a LOCK deck. You win by getting out Megrim/Anvil or Megrim/B.Pit/Winter Orb or B.Pit/Scalding Tongs. Personally I hate playing this deck. You have to be a rules lawyer and remember to do everything exactly as you should (phase effects etc). That and playing this deck is like watching paint dry. But it wins. Mine is 10-2-0, with it's only losses to a Stomyish deck and a Sligh deck that I had locked, but he got an Apocalypse at zero-hour and I ended up running out of cards. Meta Game: Controll/Permission: Bottomless Pit. This card gives these decks nightmares. Hell, it gives me nightmares. It completely restructures the game, making every card a must-play. A real strategic Nightmare! Some people have splashed Blue into their Migraine's, not real sure there, but the Enchantment/Counter looks strong. Weenie Horde: Ensnaring Bridge. I have one in my SB as well as 2 main, with first turn Rit, and dump your hand asap, a creature based offense is toast. Sex Monkeys? Well, I would be more than happy for them to take out my Bridge and ignore my win condition(Anvil of Bogardan). Burn/Sligh: These decks give me problems. Spinning Darkness can help, but only if I draw them. Cursed Scroll sucks, but using a Funeral Charm in response is fun. This is the deck that will give Migrane fits. Defeating the deck: Aura of Silence: there are soo many Artifact/Enchantments in this deck... OW Jesters Cap: This one is tough... Take the Anvils. They are the true path to victory with this deck. Lobotomy (to a lesser degree) Heavy Permission This deck has many weaknesses. Mass permanent removal(Disk/Haups) will cripple it during mid to late game. For Disenchant, if you see Anvil and Megrim, take the Anvil. As I mentioned above, it is the true path to Victory for this deck. If you take out the Megrim, the Anvil will just help me find another one. For red, Shatterstorm is nice. Most of the really effective cards in this deck are Artifacts. Once people start recognizing the power cards of Stronghold, this deck will pass by the wayside as too weak and combo-oriented. For now though, it is strong and can bring opponents to tears. -- This message has been brought to you by: Troy Abelseth-- tapout@rapidnet.com "The blood on my hands is merely proof of my ambition." --Kaervek