Subject: Great deck Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 23:43:37 -0600 From: "djlml" To: [DECK LISTING] Frank, Ryan Lyle and I (Robert Bailey) have recently thrown together and playtested a really strong u/r deck. It is extremely stout against SuiBlack, Sligh, Oath of Rogues, and Cuneo Blue which justifys it as a worthy deck. The problem deck is SGD, but really only because of Eladamri's Vineyard. There is just no use for the mana. Without further ado... Cosmic Taco -- Ryan Lyle and Robert Bailey Robert's Version: Ryan's Version: 4 Power Sink 4 Memory Lapse 3 Memory Lapse 3 Mana Leak 2 Power Sink 4 Force Spike 4 Force Spike 3 Portent 4 Mana Leak 4 Incinerate 3 Portent 4 Mogg Fanatic 1 Winds of Change 4 Fireslinger 4 Mogg Fanatic 4 Jackal Pup 4 Canyon Wildcat 4 Shock 4 Fireslinger 4 Winter Orb 4 Incinerate 1 Stalking Stone 3 Winter Orb 8 Island 1 Derelor 7 Mountain 1 Scragnoth 3 City of Brass 4 Shock 3 City of Brass 1 Reflecting Pool Sideboard 7 Island 7 Mountain 4 Bottle Gnomes 3 Sleight of Mind 2 Shattering Pulse 2 Stone Rain 2 Pyroblast 2 Hydroblast The deck was originally designed to beat the fast weenie decks (like Sligh, SuiBlack, and WWx) yet still remain competative against the mono-blue and multi-color control decks. Naturally, the creatures we chose were mostly anti-Oath because of the burn factor of the deck thus you would not want your opponent gaining 4+ life a turn. The kill usually comes in the form of little creatures played later in the game (once control is established). However, against a permission deck, the Scragnoth usually shows his face to kill. The deck has problems with Circle of Protection: Red, thus the two Sleights in the sideboard. Vineyard is always a problem, but because it is not that heavily played, Teferi's Realm was left out of the sideboard. If Vineyard is popular, you may want to drop a couple of Disrupts for Realms (or some other global, long-lasting anti enchantment spell like Allay or Tranquil Grove). Other sideboard possibilities are Propaganda, another Scragnoth, Circle of Protection: Red (if the non-basic count is upped), Lobotomy, Jester's Cap, more 'blasts, Allay, etc. The Stone Rains are included because of their effect against both Blue and Red, thus making them better than more 'blasts. (Note that SGD runs Winter's Grasp in the sideboard simply because of it's effect against these two popular decks). It also acts as an answer to Volrath's Stronghold, something the main deck lacks. They are also strong against most decks because (Wasteland vulnerable decks aside) most decks are designed to operate on the lowest possible mana count. This can offset that delicate balance enough to win the game. Surprisingly enough, there are rarely problems with mana. Twelve mana for each color is plenty because you should draw one of each in your opening hand (and you won't have to worry about Wasteland often). The six non-basics are almost excessive, but necessary to cast the Scragnoth and even allow for some off-color sideboard possibilities. Waterspout Djinn or Steel Golem are non-offcolor possibilities, but they are weak against blue (yet they remain viable sideboard choices). If you do want more lands, removing the Jackal Pups/Canyon Wildcats would be preferable. Start playing with the deck and you will be pleasantly surprised. Robert Bailey Ryan Lyle DCI 759311 DCI 759381 Team Goats Captain Team Goats Asshole "Drummer held us back." -Beer God “yes you may refer to me as Super Genius”