I'm looking for suggestions on how to utilize my SB against particular matchups. I'm learning through experience, but there's just times where I bring in something and then during the game i draw it and I think damn this is completely useless right now.
Update 2/23/15
Went 1-1-1 today at MNM.
Match 1: Jeskai Aggro
this was the deck i feared facing the most and got her right out of the gate
Game 1: answers for early rabblemasters including downfall and cut kept the board clea . Stabilized and got a PLA out early. No answers for 2 assendancies scared me but pushed through enough damage for the win.
Game 2: 3rd turn ascendancy with no negate in hand was brutal. Did not draw into the lurkers. Opted to not drop silumgar early as i was fearful of the dissolve (which i later would learn she had not added in). Eventually ran out of answers. Loss
Game 3: misplays by me on a few early turns cost me momentum. Went to time and drew.
Match 2: exact mirror Dimir
Game 1: early PLA from the MB (which he had in his SB) was the eventual game winner although i had him at 1 for about 5 turns before i could hit home. Win.
Match 2: added silumgar and a few more negates. Dropped silumgar early while he was tapped out only to have him top deck the 1 crux that he left in post SB (specifically to rid the board of silumgar). Eventually swung home with PLA for 9 after negating my own negate that countered my own ingenuity.win. (only played 2 games and still went to time. Got the PLA damage through on the last of the extra turns)
Match 3 pro tour Sultai control
game 1: my own early unanswered ashiok milled away almost all of his threats. Eventually conceded with 3 cats left in his library. Win
Game 2: i know how Sultai likes to SB in creatures so i left a few removals in there. Don't think i SB'd right at all as i want drawing the answers that i needed. Eventual loss to beat tokes from Garuk.
Game 3: Kept an opening hand with 2 scry lands. Would draw into 2 more for a grand total of 4 lands the whole game. Kept the board add clean as i could. Eventually conceded after time in the round due to the imminent ultimate of kiora the next turn. Loss (could have drawn but still would've ended in the same spot and might have bumped my opponent the last round out of 1st and although i play control I'm not that much of a dick)
Overall 3rd. Not a bad outing. Some untimely mana screws and poor plays on my part lead to games i think i could have stabilized but didn't.
Changes: -2 treasure cruise +2 Dig
Oh and having MB PLA was my saving grace for many game 1s. Although typically he's a SB option, i absolutely love love love him and will stick with 2 and 2 (PLA/Ashiok).
Next event: wends night win a box. Competition will be pretty much the same. Hoping for a better faring against the Sultai control.
