Subject: Affordable T2 LD Deck for new players
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 23:13:22 GMT
From: andrewc@ix.netcom.com (Andrew C. Lannen)
Newsgroups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.strategy

    Here is my first draft for a low $, tournament competitive T2 land
destruction deck.  At median Scrye prices, this deck (including the
sideboard) comes out to $68, at low Scrye, about $50.  Most of the
cards are commons or uncommons.  Any comments and critiques are
welcome (nay, they are demanded!).  When suggesting adjustments or new
cards, please keep in mind that the goal is to keep the deck
affordable for new players (well under $100).  Sure this deck would
work better with 4 Mox Diamonds and 4 Cursed Scrolls, but that would
triple the cost.

Land (21):
8  Mountain
8  Swamp
3  City of Brass
2  Gemstone Mine

Black Spells (16):
4  Dark Ritual
4  Diabolic Edict
4  Rain of Tears
4  Blight

Red Spells (21):
4  Incinerate
4  Stone Rain
4  Orcish Settlers
4  Lightning Elemental  (after Exodus enters, Reckless Ogre)
3  Fireball
2  Scorched Earth

Gold Spells (2):
2  Army Ants

Sideboard (15):
4 Disenchant
4 Choking Sands
4 Pyroblast
2 Earthquake
1 Fireball

     STRATEGY:  Duh.  Destroy their land and keep them from casting
big spells.  Any creatures they manage to cast get stomped by the
Edicts, Incinerates, or Fireballs.  Damage comes from the direct burn
spells and from a few creatures.  Right now, Lightning Elemental (4/1,
no summoning sickness) works well.  After Exodus becomes legal in T2,
Reckless Ogre rules!  A common 3/2 creature, it gets +3/+0 if
attacking alone.  Keep your opponent's creatures in his hand or
graveyard and this baby will do some damage.  Flavor to taste with a
couple of fireballs.  If necessary, the Orcs and  Ants can nibble your
opponent to death.
        SIDEBOARD STRATEGY:  The Pyroblasts give some anti-counter
ablility against geeks who won't play anything but their counter-burn
or blue control decks.  Save those disenchants for Sacred Grounds!
This deck hates that card!  Plus, the top contenders in T2 tournaments
all seem to have 4 Cursed Scrolls in their decks.   If your opponent
is not playing swamps, put the Choking Sands in for the Blights, as
the Blights let them use the land once.  The Earthquakes and the
Fireball provide more direct damage and also some protection from
speed/weenie decks.  As always, sideboards should differ depending on
the prevalent decks in your area.

      Final Words:  I think that Flowstone Flood in Exodus is just a
too-expensive Stone Rain (3R) because the buyback cost is too damn
high.  When the Orcs, Sands, and Ants go bye-bye from T2, however,
this deck will need them.  It might also need an Aftershock or two,
but I really *don't* like to take 3 damage.

      Comments, Suggestions, Flames?

      --Andrew

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andrewc@ix.netcom.com
"Admiration:  our polite recognition of another man's
resemblance to ourselves." -- Ambrose Bierce