01 mtga blog decks v01 20150319

Magic The Gathering Adventures Blog Posts Volume 1

1

Deckbuilding Posts

June 17, 2012 to September 9, 2012 (M13)

2015


2


3

Contents ISD Block online White Green deck (June 17, 2012) ..................................................................................... 4

ISD Block online Black White deck (June 17, 2012) .................................................................................... 10

A 1-Garruk Deck online (July 17, 2012) ....................................................................................................... 13

A 2-Garruk Deck Online (July 17, 2012) ...................................................................................................... 22

Rubiera vs PurpleHerb (July 21, 2012) ........................................................................................................ 38

Rubiera vs oldpolack54 (July 22, 2012) ....................................................................................................... 64

The Beatings Continue (Online) (July 27, 2012) .......................................................................................... 69

Practice Decks in Standard using ISD block and M13 mostly (July 29, 2012) ........................................... 102

1-Liliana M13 and 1-Griselbrand online deck in Standard (August 5, 2012) ............................................ 116

Giant Battle of Wits Decks online standard (August 11, 2012) ................................................................ 125

This week's online standard beatings Part 1 (August 11, 2012) ............................................................... 135

This week's online standard beatings Part 2 (August 11, 2012) ............................................................... 153

Rubiera vs dolphin99it (August 18, 2012) ................................................................................................. 170

Two online standard games against Jace and Jace's helpers (August 19, 2012) ...................................... 181

Training Decks Online (September 9, 2012) ............................................................................................. 194


4

ISD Block online White Green deck (June 17, 2012) The strategy for this deck can be summarized as "I don't have that many cards to play with at this

moment."

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVNZDXnCSa4/T94JokKl72I/AAAAAAAAOQ0/0KVjVBNbbqs/s1600/deck-white-green-01.jpg


5

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qB8raCaFcXk/T94Jo1hjyDI/AAAAAAAAOQ8/JE6djmSNsoM/s1600/deck-white-green-02.jpg


6

Sideboard:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEm8dbpsoWI/T94JpeNhdvI/AAAAAAAAORE/5CF4-YyLPXE/s1600/deck-white-green-final.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QxrE8vkWO0g/T94JqOZH7HI/AAAAAAAAORM/eKkbqj0RGcs/s1600/deck-white-green-sideboard.jpg


7

I played the above deck but it turned out to be too unbalanced. Below is a more balanced white

green deck I have been playing.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQ3NhOj8nOc/T94JqcpE5yI/AAAAAAAAORU/Hs6nYkdr5KA/s1600/deck-white-green-statistics.jpg


8

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md8b0Wwtmfg/T94x7CXhP6I/AAAAAAAAORo/gCyk5LaCvMc/s1600/deck-white-green-final-2.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXM5sUJezQk/T94x9fLZfqI/AAAAAAAAORw/XhjVE9KsljA/s1600/deck-white-green-sideboard-2.jpg


9

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuZ6n0HHARc/T94x9nxy8VI/AAAAAAAAOR4/Z5P6fWSMz0M/s1600/deck-white-green-statistics-2.jpg


10

ISD Block online Black White deck (June 17, 2012) Same as my White Green deck, this deck is cobbled up with the best cards I have in my small

selection.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kySHo5yaJmA/T94x-XZCwKI/AAAAAAAAOSQ/GChSTBHo7ys/s1600/deck-white-black-final-2-cards-1.jpg


11

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzBRt1RR-xY/T94x-wglxdI/AAAAAAAAOSY/Kl1SJAYcYFQ/s1600/deck-white-black-final-2-cards-2.jpg


12

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3UM_RLptUs/T94x93OD4uI/AAAAAAAAOSA/dU_T-HFBjuQ/s1600/deck-white-black-final-2.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo4kvSGhStQ/T94x_OOOaNI/AAAAAAAAOSc/4Z-RZT1UJkA/s1600/deck-white-black-final-2-cards-3-sideboard.jpg


13

A 1-Garruk Deck online (July 17, 2012) I came up with the following deck using my recent buys.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7nR95sTNKo/T94x-AgtTYI/AAAAAAAAOSI/1r3VULtdJbI/s1600/deck-white-black-final-2-sideboard.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUTMyJB_iNw/UAXksg5D_VI/AAAAAAAAQDU/_1M9D5qAraY/s1600/visual-sideboard.jpg


14

Having a Garruk in your deck is great if you come across it early in the game. Otherwise, it just

sits there in your library as though you didn't have it. Another flaw with this deck is a missing

low mana card for the first few turns.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qw2QmhtKrY/UAXksxKVnrI/AAAAAAAAQDg/W3SetaFG5c4/s1600/visual-deck1.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdRSEbRQ_5k/UAXktNPqHZI/AAAAAAAAQDo/dxj85D5Oi7Y/s1600/visual-deck2.jpg


15

Here is a game using it:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0227qkGFAsc/UAXktc5_86I/AAAAAAAAQD0/Bpmox-sqMXk/s1600/game01-01.jpg


16

I was able to exile a Huntmaster of the Falls using Appetite for Brains.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_J-Nzxkr8Y/UAXktkePz3I/AAAAAAAAQFA/7xfmRVy-9ac/s1600/game01-02-huntmaster-bloodartist.jpg


17

But I couldn't do anything about the second Huntmaster of the Falls, and once this card flips, it

causes a lot of damage.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irtMeOj8Xkk/UAXkt4yb5RI/AAAAAAAAQD8/BfNUUEqh7T0/s1600/game01-03-appetite-exile-geisthonoredmonk.jpg


18

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsBdPO9Ml9I/UAXkuBiQlXI/AAAAAAAAQEI/KQXhVlGcqoA/s1600/game01-04-geisthonoredmonk-wolfir.jpg


19

I was able to soulbond a Wolfir Silverheart but it got captured by Geist Honored Monk.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-oRvdRucSw/UAXkuKm1qPI/AAAAAAAAQFE/RhPj8mLdeaQ/s1600/game01-05-goodblocks.jpg


20

I put up a fight but it was to no avail.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swp79reOSsc/UAXkuQH1fsI/AAAAAAAAQEQ/VW3XL7ebxv8/s1600/game01-06-valiant-effort.jpg


21

Once my opponent used the counters ability of Gavony Township, it was game over.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6Ydt4YExO0/UAXkuk-Hp6I/AAAAAAAAQEY/gppHCxZ2bW4/s1600/game01-07-gavony.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66-XL6qXT0k/UAXkuyiCTdI/AAAAAAAAQEg/i6H0vNl5fmk/s1600/game01-08-the-end.jpg


22

A 2-Garruk Deck Online (July 17, 2012) I bought a second Garruk, two of Increasing Ambition, and a playset of Diregraf Ghoul. The latter card is

the perfect one mana starter in a black green deck. I took out a few cards I have enjoyed playing with in

my lower power deck variations, such as Deadly Allure and Sever the Bloodline.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCfL9xGkaCg/UAXkvuheXfI/AAAAAAAAQE0/q7veKY3FocU/s1600/newdeck-2-1.jpg


23

I now understand why Witchbane Orb is purely a sideboard card: if your opponent uses curses, this card

is key, but if not, it is completely useless and takes up valuable real estate in your deck that you can give

to more generally playable cards.

I began playing this deck with game 203209452. Some of the games I have played are not in my

"Games" section and I also played some games in the new online client. Of the games I have for replay

up to 203293572, I have won 4 and lost 5, which is not bad for tournament practice.

In the 10 recorded games between 203337726 and 203410540 I won 1 and lost 9 (ouch). From these

losses I have learned that I still do not know how to use the two Garruks correctly-somehow I get them

exiled and don't yet know why; and Increasing Ambition is just too heavy of a card. Also, I could use

more anti-cards like Tragic Slip. I could also use Unburial Rites to get cards out of my graveyard and

directly into the battlefield.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwvFjWvNv2k/UAXkv7UyTeI/AAAAAAAAQE4/XQHEjvk24V8/s1600/newdeck-2-2.jpg


24

Here is an ISD block constructed game I won against a weaker deck.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXGQR1XP734/UAkyQhmBezI/AAAAAAAAQFo/Z6c6w2hgxBU/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-01.jpg


25

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ie1CvFWE7Ko/UAkyQxs93nI/AAAAAAAAQFw/qvIrK-w6QsQ/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-02.jpg


26

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGk25LNijFE/UAkyQ0z3eMI/AAAAAAAAQF8/DWpE1gKBBzE/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-03.jpg


27

I gained some life via Blood Artist when two of my creatures died.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVZnu3u8ivo/UAkyRLb56DI/AAAAAAAAQG8/pAx8MtgFyJM/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-04.jpg


28

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mlGCgCVwRI/UAkyRcRNcEI/AAAAAAAAQGE/AGB5Pwodt50/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-05.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mlGCgCVwRI/UAkyRcRNcEI/AAAAAAAAQGE/AGB5Pwodt50/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-05.jpg


29

Unruly Mob got two counters.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqKBHJI2ehI/UAkyRqliWoI/AAAAAAAAQGQ/mSkvxoO_als/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-06.jpg


30

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avCus8cwpbM/UAkyRwdOQSI/AAAAAAAAQHE/dHmxxSnqNJE/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-07.jpg


31

My opponent's Fiend Hunter temporarily exiled of my Garruk tokens.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHBY_3TmXrI/UAkySOjexxI/AAAAAAAAQGY/Bfger-VxQXY/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-08.jpg


32

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4kIkwYaMNw/UAkySTp00CI/AAAAAAAAQGk/vMaxUwET7zA/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-09.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4kIkwYaMNw/UAkySTp00CI/AAAAAAAAQGk/vMaxUwET7zA/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-09.jpg


33

After some attrition I am up 24 to 5.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz2-0sguTcY/UAkySsDjPwI/AAAAAAAAQHA/GP_fERX2TL0/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-10.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcocDDrjhYI/UAkyS5YNPCI/AAAAAAAAQGs/6-WOiiQ8n3Q/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-11.jpg


34

I use Appetite for Brains to exile Cathar's Crusade.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gl0GWxOSZfk/UAkyTMj6xNI/AAAAAAAAQG0/xuxf1pEqpHE/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-12.jpg


35

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cemtp5pqDTU/UAkyTVAsUWI/AAAAAAAAQG4/Md8njW_J-mw/s1600/01-2-garruk-01-13.jpg


36

I made a couple of changes and started playing the deck in Standard beginning with game 203551534. I

am losing every game and will likely lose most, but the variety of Standard makes for much harder play

when I don't have any power cards from the Scars of Mirrodin cycle or M12.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2o_4yHqqOsY/UAkr-Et35aI/AAAAAAAAQFU/imyypTjPiKM/s1600/unburial-1.jpg


37

...but then I couldn't figure out how to use Killing Wave, and made yet more changes to the deck and

went back to playing ISD block constructed only beginning with recorded game 203600952 from a match

I lost 0-2.

This configuration of this deck is very stable. I could use a 4 Garruk lineup but I am saving my money for

when I add M13 cards and move it to Standard.

Between games 203293572 and 204032964 I won 10 of 52 games. That is a very low percentage yet I am

playing in tournament practice, where I used to win 0 games before I had this deck. The big winners are

red green decks with the more expensive cards like Bonfire of the Damned, and decks with Tamiyo and

Temporal Mastery.

July 27 Update: Between recorded games 204263414 and 204727274 I have won 3 of 11. The tracked

total is now 13 wins in 63 games, or 20.6 percent wins (1 of 5).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew8vj98H9NA/UAmnycZ_mBI/AAAAAAAAQHg/Fo8Z6ahr6PE/s1600/unburial-2.jpg


38

Rubiera vs PurpleHerb (July 21, 2012) I just played two incredibly awesome matches against PurpleHerb online-lost both 1-2. The

opposing deck is a top deck denier with the best of the best cards in ISD constructed, especially

AVR's Bonfire of the Damned, Temporal Mastery, Feeling the Dread, Tamiyo, and

Vanishing Tide.

Here is my deck list.

Here is my opening hand for one of the games I lost.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew8vj98H9NA/UAmnycZ_mBI/AAAAAAAAQHg/Fo8Z6ahr6PE/s1600/unburial-2.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3T2GQro6w3M/UAqLlszS3LI/AAAAAAAAQHs/M5PZtcFElwQ/s1600/203696982-01.jpg


39

Terminus puts my battlefield cards at the bottom of my library.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AshIrdtLw-U/UAqLl2N3WEI/AAAAAAAAQH0/xuXHlaHzczc/s1600/203696982-02.jpg


40

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dF93Lxp_hRo/UAqLtZAJKsI/AAAAAAAAQLM/_fis1pDwDhw/s1600/203696982-03.jpg


41

Every time I have a few creatures ready to attack Bonfire of the Damned kills them and hits me

with life loss.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7q4eHfsqdVE/UAqLmAZd3TI/AAAAAAAAQH8/-h4Xhm2CEvc/s1600/203696982-04.jpg


42

...and then my opponent can skip turns with Temporal Mastery.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzNfgUqVE6I/UAqLmtz5tuI/AAAAAAAAQIE/48c_T4JYMEs/s1600/203696982-05.jpg


43

... and then Snapmaster Cage can turn every card in my opponent's graveyard into a card with

Flashback.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lppA30OC--8/UAqLm6aa8SI/AAAAAAAAQIQ/aKqOQBN9frc/s1600/203696982-06.jpg


44

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjU-2bn1mio/UAqLs_27v_I/AAAAAAAAQLI/4E6GuG_f_z0/s1600/203696982-07.jpg


45

Here comes Tamiyo to tap my creatures into useless globs.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBWApGB_EvA/UAqLnGxsZoI/AAAAAAAAQLY/ioEfSZw6EME/s1600/203696982-08.jpg


46

... and I try another attacking lineup.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KdtUhY1MZcM/UAqLsoRc_iI/AAAAAAAAQLQ/XwgzG5NPY10/s1600/203696982-09.jpg


47

I Soulbond a Wolfir Silverheart but it gets tapped by Tamiyo.

And then the two Snapcaster Mages swoop in for the kill.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2IFL3YolrQ/UAqLsUba60I/AAAAAAAAQLA/hJhoB8900Ag/s1600/203696982-10.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JjqWNSHWEM/UAqLndrsHuI/AAAAAAAAQLc/PJ-9NGcCpHE/s1600/203696982-11.jpg


48

Here is the end of game turn transcript.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghqq4rMp2Qk/UAqLnjvu0jI/AAAAAAAAQIo/O4doby1O7ms/s1600/203696982-12.jpg


49

Here is one of the games I won. This one was by far the longest of all six games. This is the

awesomest (English, why is this not a word? Please!) Magic online game I have played to date.

The big winner in this game to get my opponent into the low single digits was Strangleroot

Geist, which deals two damage with Haste and is Undying. After one kill it comes back from the

graveyard for one more time dealing three damage.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJaBkwfz79I/UAqLnyFIyAI/AAAAAAAAQIw/Z_8foW6of08/s1600/203700406-01.jpg


50

I was very lucky early in this game and was able to exile Tamiyo with Appetite for Brains.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQr4OSVH1Kw/UAqLoC3LTdI/AAAAAAAAQI4/FP5UikU0xtc/s1600/203700406-02.jpg


51

I am at 20-14 when I get hit by Devastation Tide.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x35oJZdk_Sg/UAqLsPKrZQI/AAAAAAAAQKw/11EJbd9lzxA/s1600/203700406-03.jpg


52

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ameyi_u14So/UAqLr2qYblI/AAAAAAAAQKo/weERaLPgQJU/s1600/203700406-04.jpg


53

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh332rrUlCY/UAqLruvpDcI/AAAAAAAAQLU/5NfYGPncu20/s1600/203700406-05.jpg


54

After a Terminus swipe of my creatures I have my opponent at 18-1, and this is where the game

stalls for many turns as I try creature after creature. All I need is one lousy power hit.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DpOteMD5bqE/UAqLoQ_sTuI/AAAAAAAAQJA/ewukve9iQSI/s1600/203700406-06.jpg


55

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNlK2CLtGz4/UAqLrAttTvI/AAAAAAAAQKg/RYz2DXw52C8/s1600/203700406-07.jpg


56

I get lucky again and play a Garruk to the fullest.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4DqMpy79sF0/UAqLq3yf4YI/AAAAAAAAQKI/kyrG6riKfsc/s1600/203700406-08.jpg


57

I take out a Snapcaster Mage, flip the Garruk, and start dropping tokens with Deathtouch.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5anFRsB6QE/UAqLosnJyCI/AAAAAAAAQKQ/fMWCfg_IJVk/s1600/203700406-09.jpg


58

Here comes a Bonfire of the Damned.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RRwybRIKEA/UAqLo9XqHII/AAAAAAAAQLg/_HeCxyMmBkM/s1600/203700406-10.jpg


59

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo96Ek0CWUA/UAqLo6poqzI/AAAAAAAAQJU/07q2DuJ97w8/s1600/203700406-11.jpg


60

Here comes a Devastation Tide.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RF8GDgknyuY/UAqLpIJqWEI/AAAAAAAAQJc/1xZetPazrLs/s1600/203700406-12.jpg


61

I play Garruk again and drop a token.

Here comes Feeling the Dread to double tap my creatures.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oEifua-QWQM/UAqLql6xQxI/AAAAAAAAQKU/NHzlmy372cU/s1600/203700406-13.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zWvXYd3dlgI/UAqLqV636ZI/AAAAAAAAQKA/esaVIoXukek/s1600/203700406-14.jpg


62

Here is another Bonfire of the Damned.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqWSptzn9j0/UAqLpY4dasI/AAAAAAAAQJo/r9Q-sgx7-0Q/s1600/203700406-15.jpg


63

My opponent plays a Snapcaster Mage, and I kill it with a Death Wind. Blood Artist deals my

opponent the one life loss needed for me to win the game.

PurpleHerb texted "oh noes."

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InfrmdWBAd4/UAqLplWKRrI/AAAAAAAAQK4/tRy3K25rakE/s1600/203700406-16.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OwxqCOhdJE/UAqLp-8zxyI/AAAAAAAAQJw/fQKwVAE2OMc/s1600/203700406-17.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e25k-aIiedM/UAqLqHJTsKI/AAAAAAAAQJ4/DLed9nO7AYQ/s1600/203700406-18.jpg


64

Rubiera vs oldpolack54 (July 22, 2012) This game against a medium strength White Red deck came down to the wire (I lost, no surprise

being a beginner). I exiled a Hellrider using Appetite for Brains.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDcVf1ouQbQ/UAx37LyJEJI/AAAAAAAAQPU/WbfHgz8D11w/s1600/203940132-01.jpg


65

I took out Reckless Waif before it transformed and by doing so transformed my Garruk.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiQbAGWB6Wg/UAx37QZuTxI/AAAAAAAAQPc/yVJ5hw_Mw4s/s1600/203940132-02.jpg


66

I lost Blood Artist to Pillar of Flame.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRMX9Uej0RI/UAx37kguWfI/AAAAAAAAQPk/YQ2Ws8Y92o8/s1600/203940132-03.jpg


67

I took out a boosted 5/5 Champion of the Parish with Tragic Slip.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWModVEwjg4/UAx378rn1CI/AAAAAAAAQPs/-EMbnPMnF9M/s1600/203940132-04.jpg


68

But my opponent played Spare from Evil, leaving me unable to block a game-winning 7 attack

for 7 life.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAnzTdcWGQU/UAx38DndS0I/AAAAAAAAQPw/EaZk1_uFU34/s1600/203940132-05.jpg


69

The Beatings Continue (Online) (July 27, 2012) I am learning a lot. (And that is what a consistently-losing player should always say).

First Game

-----------

I exile my opponent's Dungeon Geists.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AcL8otLjC0/UBHQW14RDYI/AAAAAAAAQQA/Ggn6O6zCv6s/s1600/204427020-01.jpg


70

Undead Alchemist generates tokens and bleeds my library. I need an improved deck that can

kill Undead Alchemist. Once the wave of tokens is in place, its pretty much game over.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OO08zcJ8Wo8/UBHQaQIdh8I/AAAAAAAAQRY/-Hbmi9n_E3Y/s1600/204427020-02.jpg


71

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1a6OrWpyDU/UBHQa_ePcSI/AAAAAAAAQRo/RnzrXb-tDCs/s1600/204427020-03.jpg


72

...those pesky Undead Alchemist 2/2 black Zombie tokens just kept coming!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvknO_30IPI/UBHQbKoPepI/AAAAAAAAQR8/vDzIMB2LFcM/s1600/204427020-04.jpg


73

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hc-k73-uXX8/UBHQbT3W2JI/AAAAAAAAQSs/K_lhxCnIH_w/s1600/204427020-05.jpg


74

I used Appetite for Brains to exile a card from my opponent's hand AFTER Lone Revenant,

which is hexproof, was played: big mistake.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgrLCSoIPOU/UBHQb6eb1HI/AAAAAAAAQSI/LT4HwfWsNTM/s1600/204427020-06.jpg


75

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9n4C4AKeaY/UBHQcNXLUbI/AAAAAAAAQSU/6V8mH22oQDg/s1600/204427020-07.jpg


76

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--lkno9tV1RE/UBHQcfu-2sI/AAAAAAAAQSo/U_7Zz_D0I6E/s1600/204427020-08.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qUkJrJ6ql5w/UBHQcoZXO0I/AAAAAAAAQSc/UDct6VJdXTg/s1600/204427020-09.jpg


77

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjkZ_YgvUos/UBHQc-WtpsI/AAAAAAAAQSk/4zCbJEyviE8/s1600/204427020-10.jpg


78

Second Game

--------------

My opponent had a really souped-up deck. Here Griselbrand is discarded to at a later point be

placed to the battlefield using Unburial Rites.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlGoouVYhqs/UBJqf6zE1jI/AAAAAAAAQW0/mUzlYlh6zyM/s1600/204529808-01.jpg


79

My opponent plays a Falkenrath Aristocrat.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhePdlFLp6Q/UBJqgOhq71I/AAAAAAAAQUI/QRDOXSRouic/s1600/204529808-02.jpg


80

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2idSOEzYHM4/UBJqgWavZ2I/AAAAAAAAQUQ/yeJqq6m4wFU/s1600/204529808-03.jpg


81

I did get some life when my opponent sacrificed a Human creature.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzBpzTFj_Kw/UBJqgyYnKJI/AAAAAAAAQUY/uYKLtzuwXlw/s1600/204529808-04.jpg


82

I was able to take out Falkenrath Aristocrat with Tragic Slip.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dC107SXDybk/UBJqdo9XlzI/AAAAAAAAQTI/yGNtDKk4l74/s1600/204529808-05.jpg


83

I am up 21-6 and here comes Griselbrand to beat me into submission.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn-s3blXeJw/UBJqhDvwAnI/AAAAAAAAQVs/4n-sYD4slBQ/s1600/204529808-06.jpg


84

One of my dumbest moves to date was to try to take Griselbrand out with a Garruk: it

obviously didn't work!!!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_rHPNKKA1M/UBJqhQreOtI/AAAAAAAAQU0/r2qv1QJQLIo/s1600/204529808-07.jpg


85

My opponent draws seven cards using Griselbrand and now I am facing a suite of super-

creatures.

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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVpU6L6Pdmc/UBJqh_q7RhI/AAAAAAAAQWU/rtwq7SSrX70/s1600/204529808-11.jpg


87

Three games part of a 1-2 match

---------------------------------

First Game

------------

Not only did I get dealt a "God Hand," but also my opponent choked.

This game made me want to have Dissipate in my deck.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlM53_9zi0c/UBJqiFJ6tRI/AAAAAAAAQWY/B2QZ07NFchE/s1600/204533770-Match-13-01.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4P6TBl6D_Fk/UBJqido80OI/AAAAAAAAQVE/s0hDh_9Ij6U/s1600/204533770-Match-13-02.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6munW2BcCXw/UBJqiqt277I/AAAAAAAAQVQ/PkYb_zAS8r4/s1600/204533770-Match-13-03.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhT6bOndUpM/UBJqi8FpOCI/AAAAAAAAQVY/76R_24gO4j0/s1600/204533770-Match-13-04.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ2qZlD9WUE/UBJqjbMoafI/AAAAAAAAQVk/2VEVCOoBAhc/s1600/204533770-Match-13-05.jpg


90

Second game of the match begins by me exiling a Curse of Death's Hold, which has caused me

to choke in many a game.

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92

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93

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BV4qDbs0Po/UBJqedeOwJI/AAAAAAAAQTc/44ELn1uB-sU/s1600/204533770-Match-23-04.jpg


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I am merrily wearing down my opponent and then Olivia Voldaren is played.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecXUUPMgvpg/UBJqjwCl8ZI/AAAAAAAAQV8/t-wUnFrPu-M/s1600/204533770-Match-23-05.jpg


95

I take it out with Tragic Slip.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BywUtGZZVww/UBJqkIas5BI/AAAAAAAAQWs/Xs7Jd7RhFTU/s1600/204533770-Match-23-06.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZImBJkg5Dw/UBJqeneBZ9I/AAAAAAAAQTk/d8Fn2tQ-sPc/s1600/204533770-Match-23-07.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kFGBwH6UMU/UBJqeogsDCI/AAAAAAAAQT0/AWcRYUWdqvQ/s1600/204533770-Match-23-08.jpg


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Between Olivia Voldaren and the 5/5 Demon tokens from Demonic Rising I start taking

serious damage.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sfP_amKYGs/UBJqfMiIREI/AAAAAAAAQUw/4iR2ydyVFHY/s1600/204533770-Match-23-09.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYYuA2Eh20/UBJqfe9N0hI/AAAAAAAAQU8/AHyVoenzDG0/s1600/204533770-Match-23-10.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lK6-vYVQTjg/UBJqkX9_lvI/AAAAAAAAQW4/qbqGTZueS9Y/s1600/204533770-Match-23-11.jpg


99

The third game was also a slaughter-fest.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7wXRduNttM/UBJqkkCalTI/AAAAAAAAQWg/s2P4P11Nf1k/s1600/204533770-Match-33-01.jpg


100

Hard to believe but I still don't understand "my turn." I threw away two Tragic Slip trying to kill

Olivia Voldaren.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLWo3JSj3vw/UBJqfrqTh8I/AAAAAAAAQUA/KELocfmzmzM/s1600/204533770-Match-33-02.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6uwtSirm_o8/UBJqkypJmRI/AAAAAAAAQWo/eUe6hGwGgJo/s1600/204533770-Match-33-03.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ISUc08aZ_A/UBJqlMTEKVI/AAAAAAAAQWk/Nv7MOaRJbfk/s1600/204533770-Match-33-04.jpg


102

Practice Decks in Standard using ISD block and M13 mostly (July 29,

2012) I am using these decks for practice and on purpose not adding to them cards from the SOM

Block or M12, with the exception of a few "I do not want to lose every Standard game" cards. I

noticed that lifelink and adding life during play is prevalent in Standard. I am playing these

decks against the strongest field in the Standard Constructed cycle: SOM Block + M12 + ISD

Block + M13. When Return to Ravnica (RTR) comes out in October these decks will face the

weakest field in the Standard Constructed cycle: ISD Block + M13 + RTR.

Out of the gate the first take at a Standard Green Black deck fell flat on its back.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUpL4c3UsgU/UBUdRTE1V0I/AAAAAAAAQjE/ezyoSK6E108/s1600/new-deck-vidual-main.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYcdFvYGilg/UBUdRqEFkdI/AAAAAAAAQi4/UpDCsikvH5M/s1600/new-deck-vidual-sideboard.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NE8aqBWCkHY/UBUdPoEdKaI/AAAAAAAAQh8/tesTkgkAgns/s1600/new-deck.jpg


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I made many small changes.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpuUXrcrKlw/UBUdP7qpXoI/AAAAAAAAQiE/wfsgdJx8cSk/s1600/new-deck-after5straightlosses.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jbSirC7Tbs/UBUdQM2Rz7I/AAAAAAAAQiM/8oi94xZeb0E/s1600/new-deck-landmgmt.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr9HHdKVHh4/UBUdQdFdDVI/AAAAAAAAQiU/FiSQWIrg0DM/s1600/new-deck-landmgmt2.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_T_XqlZtio/UBUdQhJbYkI/AAAAAAAAQic/F4HnmX_sYxQ/s1600/new-deck-landmgmt3.jpg


109

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7fox0xl24U/UBUdRZq94iI/AAAAAAAAQio/zKWlfSdOa4k/s1600/new-deck-landmgmt4-talisman.jpg


110

I also made other decks with green.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipmjXsdtS3s/UBUdNzUI97I/AAAAAAAAQjI/a2GIfTDEB1c/s1600/added-deck-blue-green.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ZbIncM6dM/UBUdOrZz-CI/AAAAAAAAQhg/Cg9rVIbrxcA/s1600/added-deck-red-green-2-talisman.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfDS56nlMRw/UBUdO4MiE6I/AAAAAAAAQhs/Xe6RWKXcuEE/s1600/added-deck-white-green.jpg


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...and my favorites: mono Black and mono Green.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5xKz4h7XT4/UBUdPGq_wSI/AAAAAAAAQiw/k9snx26Ib0c/s1600/mono-black.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-COT6_u1N5Is/UBUdPQANGBI/AAAAAAAAQh0/2dVqA01gu0w/s1600/mono-green.jpg


115

Without dual lands a tricolor deck is dead in the water, but I need to learn how to play.

...and after a few hours of playing these decks the verdict is the all but mono green lose EVERY

game. The Standard field is just too broad for an ISD+M13 deck that has not been optimized

either with power planeswalkers such as Tamiyo, or, in the case of all decks, dual lands and

useful artifacts.

Although it is too early to make a final judgement, the new Garruk and the new Liliana seem

best suited for mono decks. It takes a lot of mana to drop a 2FFF Garruk!! The ISD 2F Garruk is

much more playable.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhattIeO3ZU/UBUdSJp4MDI/AAAAAAAAQi8/uwHgV8zzNXs/s1600/STD-blue-black-green-2.jpg


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1-Liliana M13 and 1-Griselbrand online deck in Standard (August 5,

2012) I would call this a "whatever" deck because it is derived from several "whatevers":

1. Whatever I bought on my way to an M12 set redemption.

2. Whatever I bought for a quality black green deck in ISD block constructed.

3. Whatever I have pulled from online packs (Geralf's Messenger and M13 Liliana).

4. I bought a Griselbrand because I think it is a cool "Fatty" card.

It is impossible to win with this deck because it is always "swim so far to drown at the shore" but

it is definitely a big play fun deck.

Here are the packs I bought.

And this is how the deck evolved as I made changes that let it live longer, yet it pretty much

always loses.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_aikGEIFINg/UB52OhJDUSI/AAAAAAAAQvg/5XuCmk0q2KY/s1600/packs.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDO8Ic5ls4I/UB52Lc5An0I/AAAAAAAAQvo/_JHV8enul2k/s1600/03-mono-black.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lL7eUnNe_PU/UB52L2RGLOI/AAAAAAAAQug/RQUT_kIyaRQ/s1600/03-mono-black-M12.jpg


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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-od5XDDZvG6E/UB52MHcNlwI/AAAAAAAAQuo/loqH7_-4LZc/s1600/03-mono-black-M12-2.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt5Q_14geZU/UB52MWMSptI/AAAAAAAAQvs/XW81vAAgjYo/s1600/03-mono-black-M12-3.jpg


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Here is a typical match. I am able to get my opponent to low life and then the decks just runs out

of steam as I am either unable to hard-cast a Fatty, or just get cards with mixed strategies in the

same hand.

Griselbrand sits in my hand as I count how many swamps I have.....and how much life I have

left. I can't play him for the "lose 7 life, draw 7 cards" if I have life of 7 or less!!! And don't get

me going on the M13 Liliana: not a great card for how rare it is to pull!!!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsqmeRZHy0c/UB52MrwuUqI/AAAAAAAAQu4/bFBT3pXrgSQ/s1600/206470476-1.jpg


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http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzgO2nT-xI8/UB52M0sS8wI/AAAAAAAAQu8/8Upw-QUlCrc/s1600/206470476-2.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZhIr1A8NVw/UB52Nh45o7I/AAAAAAAAQvI/u_PS93skvg4/s1600/206470476-3.jpg


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Sideboard changes between the first and the second match. Out is top row and in is bottom row.

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I did get to play Sorin's Vengeance.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGkIKkP1M1M/UB52OGVn-6I/AAAAAAAAQvQ/Ec6BoNt2GLA/s1600/206470476-G2-1.jpg


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Giant Battle of Wits Decks online standard (August 11, 2012) I got these two deck lists from the Wizards web site. Both of these online decks went 4-0 in

online tournaments. The concept is simple: build a deck with 200 cards or more and when you

play Battle of Wits, you win. Because you will need to play as many as 40 cards to win during

the average match, you really needs a deck of between 230 and 250 cards.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vT1E66hEKjc/UB5p-C23jAI/AAAAAAAAQto/4R1ngk4aaO4/s1600/pulls-pack-2-3-20120804-2.jpg


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Deck 1 had 240 cards (89 lands-6 plains, 22 island, and 33 swamp and the rest were dual lands,

40 creatures, and 111 other spells). Deck 2 had 243 cards (89 lands-7 plains, 21 island, and 31

swamp and the rest were dual lands, 45 creatures, and 109 other spells). Below are the staple

play sets both decks had in common (4 of each).

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5NvEN4grvM/UCZFpD9cceI/AAAAAAAAQzo/pAZ7tYaAXkA/s1600/deck-01.jpg


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Cards in both but using different quantities or placement in the deck or the sideboard.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi7CBmLjlso/UCZFpWNhvZI/AAAAAAAAQz0/FF4w-QwjVfo/s1600/deck-02.jpg


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These cards are only in deck 1.

These cards are only in deck 2.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_psWh-bGD4k/UCZFnd9HrLI/AAAAAAAAQyw/fXdr3kNq4NQ/s1600/deck-03.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2UTag1_G_E/UCZFpppuqYI/AAAAAAAAQzw/-TxbG_wTXA0/s1600/deck-04.jpg


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I have played three games against this deck and lost all three. I have two recorded and in both my

opponent beat me with card other than Battle of Wills. For the one time when this card was

played for the win, the game was not recorded.

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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3npppdG5YlY/UCZFob6R0mI/AAAAAAAAQzQ/zRFTv4nafYo/s1600/206672782-04.jpg


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My opponent used Pristine Talisman to gain life.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9f2MSbTHijI/UCZFohAYDKI/AAAAAAAAQzY/ZER3Reef9LQ/s1600/206672782-05.jpg


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This deck is well stocked with powerful creatures and planeswalkers.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eY3YCnHF-xc/UCZFo7HESiI/AAAAAAAAQzg/rGGhPcOmXkc/s1600/206672782-06.jpg


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This week's online standard beatings Part 1 (August 11, 2012)

I used several variations of this blue black deck. I try to make my opponent discard 10 or more

cards and then I play Jace's Phantasm, a 1/1 that becomes a 5/5 under this condition. I am using

Mind Sculpt for 7 cards at a time, and if I get to play my one Jace, Memory Adept, I can drop

them 10 at a time and try to have my opponent discard the entire library. I have not been able to

do the latter, and, interestingly I did lose this way once this week.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pxhp4Sr0ORM/UCasNXpHxlI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/0XalYEcQDmQ/s1600/blue-black-2.jpg


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I am surprised by the preponderance of blue but shouldn't since Delver of Secrets decks are still

very popular. My opponent conceded but I wasn't sure I would win.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tyv5_iw5J8/UCasOgwm1YI/AAAAAAAAQ6U/rO9JjfxcRvM/s1600/207186170-delver-beatable-01.jpg


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Invisible Stalker is hexproof, but it take one life each time it attacks: a very slow way to win a

game.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGROoxfyVWw/UCasPNlr-FI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/8s2g52rB4gk/s1600/207186170-delver-beatable-02.jpg


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http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RxetwRMorcQ/UCasPmlTVVI/AAAAAAAAQ6w/YDWN3jaNPTw/s1600/207186170-delver-beatable-03.jpg


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Here is another game. I got to play three Invisible Stalker, but my opponent's Jace was well

protected.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hx-sOgJXNTM/UCasOWAUo1I/AAAAAAAAQ6M/KPBSokcAtQ0/s1600/207186170-delver-beatable-04.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6igQdoy1Ac/UCasPzMXd0I/AAAAAAAAQ6k/1MFVy65FehM/s1600/207195942-nicol-bolas-01.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjLJ09CriXk/UCasNoyEi1I/AAAAAAAAQ50/MXC0LgJPbig/s1600/207195942-nicol-bolas-02.jpg


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Devastation Tide is very disruptive. It forces me to play my hand again.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mvWMUfKGmJk/UCasQmXj5GI/AAAAAAAAQ64/spaIqbUGtFg/s1600/207195942-nicol-bolas-04.jpg


143

And then Nicol Bolas gained strength unattacked and my opponent was able to play for -9

loyalty points the game winning ability "Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker deals 7 to target player.

That player discards 7 cards, then sacrifices 7 permanents." A permanent is any card that remains

in the battlefield when played (land, creatures, and artifacts).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDg168zezN0/UCasQ4CXkKI/AAAAAAAAQ7A/tyG1xryIXl8/s1600/207195942-nicol-bolas-05.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgB20dyM16A/UCasN8W-xdI/AAAAAAAAQ58/8o5mRkamaHU/s1600/207195942-nicol-bolas-06.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-sMf2SywAM/UCasOCSt5mI/AAAAAAAAQ88/wYK-xmCM_Mo/s1600/207195942-nicol-bolas-07.jpg


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Here is a black aggro deck. I lost both games in the match very quickly.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMiJjkR3jyc/UCasRGFLmBI/AAAAAAAAQ7I/UJFRqbKcQtE/s1600/207277556-black-aggro-turn5.jpg


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Here is the second game against that black aggro (aggressive) deck.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BRgU3XVT-UA/UCasRSvKhVI/AAAAAAAAQ7Q/M7ge4hiiPjk/s1600/207277910-black-aggro-turn5.jpg


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Here is play against a Huntmaster deck.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p57aJWWeSDw/UCasR9yGdTI/AAAAAAAAQ7k/peE-WNOK3gc/s1600/207279234-huntmaster-manaproblem-01.jpg


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This deck had Solemn Simulacrum, and Spheres of the Sun. Latter can add mana.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOsbCbrNTZI/UCasSD3TaOI/AAAAAAAAQ7c/T4cQJRlvVTo/s1600/207282176-golem-myr-simulacrum-sphereofthesun-01.jpg


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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBCRwTXg45s/UCasSQ7JPPI/AAAAAAAAQ7g/qJsGUnVj0l4/s1600/207282176-golem-myr-simulacrum-sphereofthesun-02.jpg


150

I was able to win this game. If my opponent does not have cards that get boosted from the

graveyard or big players like Grave Titan, I can have them drop 7 cards every time I play Mind

Sculpt and then my Jace's Phantasm hits them for 5.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6W4Hl0m4mc/UCasTT0OS4I/AAAAAAAAQ7w/q_kquekquc8/s1600/207282176-golem-myr-simulacrum-sphereofthesun-03.jpg


151

Here is a game against Blade Splicer, which drops a 3/3 Golem artifact. I lose to this type of

deck every time.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFe1AQj9B4g/UCasT-CgCLI/AAAAAAAAQ74/RSvymB_Uf8s/s1600/207394928-elspeth-01.jpg


152

My opponent also had an Elesh Norn, gives my opponent's creatures +2/+2 and mine -2/-2. I

have several creatures that are in the 1 and 2 range. This card makes my late play very hard. I

lost this game.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-beFRghM8vqU/UCasU4TIrjI/AAAAAAAAQ8A/iZWmXVLYVGw/s1600/207394928-elspeth-02.jpg


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This week's online standard beatings Part 2 (August 11, 2012)

This deck was playing several of Pristine Tallisman.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKqEFdYOWSU/UCasVX1o5FI/AAAAAAAAQ8M/OC-lq5TCCgM/s1600/207396430-pristine-talisman-01.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OfSDE3qgCo/UCasVpHxmSI/AAAAAAAAQ8U/kOjVBoIuXo4/s1600/207396430-pristine-talisman-02.jpg


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Here comes Lingering Souls to drop four tokens.

My opponent gained a lot of life tapping those Pristine Talismans. My deck is too slow to

recover against such a high life count.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FigcIdr1mvM/UCasVzeeQ0I/AAAAAAAAQ8c/Ro7HBOdcrrE/s1600/207396430-pristine-talisman-03.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-3R_iUvtFo/UCasWEccpDI/AAAAAAAAQ8g/rORxy0ivV_k/s1600/207396430-pristine-talisman-04.jpg


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Here is one of many decks I have played against using Oblivion Ring, which captures one of my

key cards and because I don't have any enchantment removal cards, I lose those cards for the rest

of the game. Here its my Jace that gets trapped.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWwhr8CGPiY/UCasWpQh_TI/AAAAAAAAQ8o/DBFlKRFq0RI/s1600/207398230-oblivion-ring-01.jpg


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And here comes Lingering Souls.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRWr0FwaaeU/UCasW8g6KUI/AAAAAAAAQ-4/_QboVDKihDY/s1600/207398230-oblivion-ring-02.jpg


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And more Lingering Souls.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idVWF1eYZew/UCasXcZXVhI/AAAAAAAAQ84/e7zZD4r_aIQ/s1600/207398230-oblivion-ring-03.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w4fYyt96uE/UCasX0gEwCI/AAAAAAAAQ9E/y8owuGA5JXs/s1600/207398230-oblivion-ring-04.jpg


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My opponent played Curse of Death's Hold, which reduces all of my creatures -1/-1, and can act

as a partial board sweeper if 1/1 creatures is all I am playing when it enters the battlefield.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw5vQV-B7Qw/UCasYaQlDpI/AAAAAAAAQ9M/5WmHUm3umCo/s1600/207398230-oblivion-ring-05.jpg


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http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgfEdoyOnYU/UCasYtjgmyI/AAAAAAAAQ9U/mhSDP3yZXQs/s1600/207398230-oblivion-ring-06.jpg


161

Here is a deck playing Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, which forces me to use one more mana

for my noncreature spells. This card stalls my game every time....and I never recover.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJE0p6veY18/UCasZDoRfcI/AAAAAAAAQ9c/RJMIQND3pl4/s1600/207405370-thalia-01.jpg


162

And then with Silverblade Paladin's Soulbond ability of double strike, I lose quickly.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jHSsueOfCo/UCasZrBFlEI/AAAAAAAAQ9k/d2BjV--OQ9E/s1600/207405370-thalia-02.jpg


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Here is another deck using Silverblade Paladin, this time also playing War Falcon.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VF5AzyiqHsw/UCasZwN4MNI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/a-Ce9gZ3RPE/s1600/207406324-paladin.jpg


164

Here is game play against a deck using Grave Titan. I only have one of these in my deck

because of my plan to redeem M12. I could use a play set of these given how much of a beating I

take against it. I hope Return to Ravnica has a card with similar qualities.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cFZcG53V0Y/UCasaHOO5lI/AAAAAAAAQ94/3GVWY3sbvOY/s1600/207489854-titan-01.jpg


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http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Egm5yBdnGSY/UCasaieeGxI/AAAAAAAAQ-A/JJuSPSCmNjc/s1600/207489854-titan-02.jpg


166

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLIGh9IXw9A/UCasa47sppI/AAAAAAAAQ-E/EWVZlrkVIzY/s1600/207489854-titan-03.jpg


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Even though I was up 14 to 8, my deck completely stalled and my opponent had built a wall of

creatures: game over.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWWv6AZbQa4/UCasbMLV2YI/AAAAAAAAQ-M/2c7nWqwswbI/s1600/207489854-titan-04.jpg


168

Here is a game against a Liliana. I find this planeswalker to be a big threat even though it has

not seen a lot of tournament play.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0f4S6P-utM/UCasbq1PQxI/AAAAAAAAQ-U/2kYnSE9dEuI/s1600/207490690-liliana-karn-01.jpg


169

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9KfPZk8Xys/UCasb9etS5I/AAAAAAAAQ-c/z5EMi8SfkZg/s1600/207490690-liliana-karn-02.jpg


170

Rubiera vs dolphin99it (August 18, 2012) Game 209006064.

I did not review last week's games because I took out my good M12 cards to await a redemption

of the complete set. This loss has left me with very weak decks in Standard. This one game is

worth recounting because it shows how a good player with a good deck (my opponent) can make

a comeback from 1 life left to win the game resoundingly. I was experimenting with a mono-

white deck.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfCG1rbUWeY/UC_sl6VM-PI/AAAAAAAAREk/imHM8Gszg8c/s1600/mono-white-4-aggro.jpg


171

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIGlJFxEr10/UC_skVedi3I/AAAAAAAAREQ/_LtprBpMFHM/s1600/209006064-01.jpg


172

My opponent keeps Solemn Simulacrum with Mimic Vat and plays Batterskull on the token it

generates.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gn4gZ-qAN8Y/UC_skpO6PkI/AAAAAAAAREw/LYOzMWA8FPo/s1600/209006064-02.jpg


173

I use Defang on it.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Itqfe8wqWo/UC_sk6JNtDI/AAAAAAAARE0/kTCdUpEHVNY/s1600/209006064-03.jpg


174

But here is another Batterskull and my opponent plays two of Pristine Talisman.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_H3FU7BmiM0/UC_slFwDV1I/AAAAAAAAREg/Xbiu3OHQDYE/s1600/209006064-04.jpg


175

Here comes Trading Post with so many options to help my opponent's game.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbp1Q5b1Z4U/UC_slck80eI/AAAAAAAAREs/pPjtVRm1dS8/s1600/209006064-05.jpg


176

There is also Go for the Throat against my creatures.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9pfB5FLDxM/UC_slgILFoI/AAAAAAAAREo/QA_ZF1PkUNI/s1600/209006064-06.jpg


177

And as my deck slowly runs out of steam, Sorin Markov comes in to finish me off.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVIP_SNqhz8/UC_si34zx1I/AAAAAAAARDo/_7eFrn7ykH4/s1600/209006064-07.jpg


178

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NjzInwwPGQ/UC_sjbBwiAI/AAAAAAAARDw/pheEU0dnJfE/s1600/209006064-08.jpg


179

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuSPJW2CroU/UC_sjrcgIBI/AAAAAAAAREA/LzY5rN39oTU/s1600/209006064-09.jpg


180

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juArJABjsys/UC_sj-yXNmI/AAAAAAAARD4/qSu-5utY9zA/s1600/209006064-10.jpg


181

Two online standard games against Jace and Jace's helpers (August 19,

2012) In the first game (which I lost) I did not come across Jace. The combination or combo in this

game is the use of Jace's Erasure to bleed my library card by card and the use of Jace's

Archivist to get me to discard my hand multiple times which both bleeds me of cards and

disrupts my game play. Here I am at 48 cards.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PD2Donz5u8A/UDE0VdyTMVI/AAAAAAAARH8/Ij5exxsu83Q/s1600/209218224-01.jpg


182

While my library is going to zero Jace' Archivist gets tapped continuously to make me draw a

new hand-very disruptive!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcGPPSIIfE0/UDE0Vuj_UVI/AAAAAAAARHE/M-rTDVei0ag/s1600/209218224-02.jpg


183

I am down to 23 cards. Its a lot of clicking to resolve each card drop!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVons8cdWJ0/UDE0UjfIcPI/AAAAAAAARGw/cTjiji6l-Kc/s1600/209218224-03.jpg


184

...and even more clicking!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnO9aij-v14/UDE0VHgi8hI/AAAAAAAARG8/j8ao0QUBakc/s1600/209218224-04.jpg


185

Here I am with no cards left. I guess I am not the only one who likes playing Jace's Phantasm.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTiGa-wUZxQ/UDE0UXKuIlI/AAAAAAAARGo/vfokiK8W-Xg/s1600/209218224-05.jpg


186

Here is a game I just won. I love these blue on blue games. I bought a few dual lands and play

sets of Delver of Secrets and Rhunechanter's Pike. Here is the deck list.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--89Ga2T-KL4/UDE0YcBMMiI/AAAAAAAARII/3Y7yQZXcCeY/s1600/blue-black-10.jpg


187

My opponent plays Jace's Archivist and I am expecting the same sequence as the last game.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OqA5QQ4DoTc/UDE0XpTwEkI/AAAAAAAARH0/SqiPnPplzMs/s1600/209442218-01.jpg


188

But he plays his Jace, Memory Adept and begins to drop 10 of their cards instead of

mine.....and I wonder why my opponent is taking their library to zero and not mine???

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrAxCciQG3Q/UDE0WHrcxcI/AAAAAAAARHM/SDCnGD6La3k/s1600/209442218-02.jpg


189

I exile all of my opponent's graveyard just in case.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7fomHk8-vM/UDE0X5Zj63I/AAAAAAAARIE/Gf3yQ7OMXMY/s1600/209442218-03.jpg


190

And here comes the answer: my opponent plays Laboratory Maniac.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtIwUAa7mVc/UDE0WSmllNI/AAAAAAAARHU/CZwIQnzs54s/s1600/209442218-04.jpg


191

Luckily I have two of Tragic Slip in my hand. Here I play the first one.

And here I play the second one: bye bye!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdfeyT5L9fg/UDE0YCcYasI/AAAAAAAARIM/z3HHBlqSxj8/s1600/209442218-05.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUsvpmOI240/UDE0WrknetI/AAAAAAAARHc/yEiTLhWRGIQ/s1600/209442218-06.jpg


192

I draw a card with Think Twice.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wHUMjdBP0w/UDE0W_6PO0I/AAAAAAAARHk/OZUTaVMyYP4/s1600/209442218-07.jpg


193

And it is no other than my favorite card these days: Mind Sculpt. My opponent only has 6 cards

in their library and I am asking for 7: I win.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahFiDe7qqOk/UDE0XKOtJcI/AAAAAAAARHs/8XgaicjTY3c/s1600/209442218-08.jpg


194

Training Decks Online (September 9, 2012) I am not juicing up any deck buying from the bots until RTR but I want to get more training in

Standard Constructed from the best players (in "Tournament Practice"). Here are my five

practice mono-decks. The White and Red decks are very weak. I also have a fun artifacts-only

deck.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsRda6R2yUU/UEySQr3e5OI/AAAAAAAASxI/6gOvxLG30Us/s1600/simple-mono-1-white.jpg


195

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giesuLUvvMk/UEySQ1L4xkI/AAAAAAAASxQ/oq8jPS2giwE/s1600/simple-mono-2-blue.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmaefyzo5Oc/UEySRN91YoI/AAAAAAAASxY/1F6U9kj05is/s1600/simple-mono-3-black.jpg


196

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNhgF5JT4aI/UEySRZlvb6I/AAAAAAAASxk/wKJvueIU_SE/s1600/simple-mono-4-red.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYcWK3GrgnA/UEySRnyk2jI/AAAAAAAASxs/GenGUCH2bdY/s1600/simple-mono-5-green.jpg


197

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tthB9fEGQ0A/UEySSIE_HSI/AAAAAAAASx0/c9pWoegxbPU/s1600/simple-mono-6-artifact.jpg


198

Here is my new training deck for Blue Black until RTR comes out. It has a a good selection of

playable cards yet it is lacking in a specific strategy.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tShhNmjUvJM/UEySM0wbIpI/AAAAAAAASvg/pVPIyEvbXs4/s1600/01-blue-black.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq-yRwP8kcQ/UEySNJOZNWI/AAAAAAAASvk/DTjQA348jCI/s1600/01-blue-black-s.jpg


199

I played a match (lost 0-2) against a great deck. This deck is all about Karn Liberated yet it is

also full of other great cards (Wurmcoil Engine, Sorin Markov, Solemn Simulacrum). With

Ichor Wellspring my opponent gets draw power. A benefit of draw power is having a greater

chance to play a land card every turn.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7zMQHFBWxI/UEySNu1ur6I/AAAAAAAASvw/sfUFdSXfjv8/s1600/213263268-1.jpg


200

And then my opponent play Karn. This planeswalker can gain loyalty very quickly. The game-

ending ability restarts the game with a strong deck for the opponent already built from the exiled

permanents of both players.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOdsGF-Ldkc/UEySOXA9XqI/AAAAAAAASxc/tySRFmJUFEg/s1600/213263268-2.jpg


201

Trading Post is a great new artifact. There are many ways to use this card. I can't wait to pull it

online or eventually buy it,

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CGGQOa3jkrw/UEySO0TiX3I/AAAAAAAASwY/4iQznKe2rTM/s1600/213263268-3.jpg


202

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uerGS-_52Zc/UEySO3WNoNI/AAAAAAAASxo/QWW0XGMp_-o/s1600/213263268-4.jpg


203

Wurmcoil Engine wears me down, Karn Liberated forces me to discard from my hand and I

end up with no creatures on the battlefield and an empty hand.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6pVEQjII-k/UEySPMGC_gI/AAAAAAAASwg/Z1awOnHcNNA/s1600/213263268-5.jpg


204

Karn restarts the game. This is the second match and for it I sideboarded the fatty cards in my

deck. My opponent was unable to start with a good band of powerful creatures, all mine, as they

had been able to do during the first game of the match.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COHCTIBspQw/UEySPaAdO8I/AAAAAAAASwo/ircLTtXW3QU/s1600/213263268-6.jpg


205

I did my best in a hopeless situation.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9YVSV0RI9NA/UEySPnKV6uI/AAAAAAAASww/oBTLgVYQCGQ/s1600/213263268-7.jpg


206

Sorin is a great finisher.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-NOEvfM-bI/UEySP-1GSGI/AAAAAAAASw4/c3jxVpwwNVE/s1600/213263268-8.jpg


207

Here comes Karn again!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5FC19_5sG4/UEySQAJOXNI/AAAAAAAASxA/Zxd0HbFuCdI/s1600/213263268-9.jpg


208

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdtsYU-HO2g/UEySN6X1s3I/AAAAAAAASv4/XBoKJWLK9Nk/s1600/213263268-10.jpg


209

I got to play my Liliana but its pointless at this stage of the game.

The two Solemn Simulacrum finish the job.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5uMfQjbxAU/UEySOPFzN9I/AAAAAAAASwA/1qVQpdW0TuQ/s1600/213263268-11.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6a9hNr0xGg/UEySOYkLtQI/AAAAAAAASwM/Cp3zi0e-Dxc/s1600/213263268-12.jpg

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