Subject: a deck Date: Tue, 30 Dec 1997 19:14:49 -0800 From: Ramon Macutay To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Hi Frank, Here's another version of Tradewind-Geddon: 4 Counterspell 4 Tradewind Rider 4 Ophidian 4 Man-o-war 2 Tempest Drake 2 Hazerider Drake 3 Bay Falcon 1 Meditate 3 Propaganda 1 Dismiss 3 Armageddon 1 Gerrard's Wisdom 2 Disenchant 2 Marble Diamond 2 Sky Diamond 2 Undiscovered Paradise 3 Quicksand 11 Islands 5 Plains 2 Adarkar Waste The first time I saw the Rider was in a local tournament. Going down into the semis, my opponent (the top seed of the tourney) was using a Big Blue with Riders, Countermagic, Big Fliers, etc. Unfortunately for him, he made a crucial error in game 3 and I managed to beat with him with experience and good-old-fashioned bluffing. At any rate, I was amazed at how efficient the Rider was. It was (and still is) the subject of debates on whether you could tap it to target itself and another creature (not necessarily untapped) to "Boomerang" any permanent back to your opponent's hand. Wow! Like a Capsize for ZERO mana! While waiting for the official ruling, let's assume (for fairness' sake) that the Rider can "tap: tap two OTHER UNTAPPED creatures you control: return any permanent to owner's hand" THE DECK This deck relies an early defense in the form of "Temporal Control" where time is used as an advantage over the opponent. A lot of the cards function towards this effect. The MOWs, Props, Ophies, and the Riders. Against the 2/2 weenie hordes, both the Ophies and the Riders are excellent blockers as well. (the Rider safely out of "incinerate range") while the Quicksands buy you ample time to set up the combo. Remember to hold on until you've assumed control of the board with Propaganda, the diamonds, and Geddon. If a Rider is down (along with several Falcons and TempestDrakes), the fun begins! Right after the Geddon, continue attacking with the falcons and return the one land he puts down back to his hand during his discard phase. Forget about his creatures (they're just art deco lying around with the Propaganda down). Meanwhile, your Ophies will replenish your hand and in time, the Falcons will surely kill him. Hold on to your precious Counterspells (they are few and far between) try to protect your Tradewind if you don't have another copy in hand. The lock is obviously a Ganda-Geddon supported by the Rider-Falcon-Drake combo. As an extra insurance, the Gerrard's Wisdom will buy you more time to set up the lock... and don't forget about the Meditate...simply awesome after the 'Geddon! The sideboard was not included because the tourney environment will dictate which deck types to prepare against. Users of this deck can customize the S/B to their individual preferences. Suggestions include COP:red, Hon. Passage, Disrupt, Hydroblast, CHill as well as a couple of Stasis for a Meta-game effect. Have Fun and More Power to the DOJO! Mon (TEAM ALLEY CATS)