Zandl's 2012 Standard Pauper Challenge!
Deck Challenges
zandl
12 August 2012
3576 views
12 August 2012
3576 views
Greetings, my fellow TappedOuters! Welcome to my very first, full-fledged article! If you're anything like the model employee that I am, you're on TappedOut at work, rummaging around both the articles page and your business's lunchroom. Then you started lurking in the forums and happened upon this gem of penmanship. "What," you might be asking yourself, "is that hoodlum, zandl, doing now, writing an article?"
But don't you worry your bored, little mind. I'm here to officially announce:
Zandl's 2012 Standard Pauper Challenge!
This landmark first-and-probably-only-annual challenge marks my efforts to become a full-on contributor to TappedOut. With your support, this challenge could become a community tradition and, perhaps, even turn into a tradition that occurs after the release of every major set. Would you be down for that? Because I know I would be.
Considering how gracious, kindhearted, and modest I am, I'm going to give you the run-down in a series of easy-to-read lists. Ready?
Go!
What you will need to do:
- 1. Choose your color!
- Being a "Mono-Colored Challenge," you'll need to decide on just one color to build with.
- 2. Build your deck!
- That's not plural. You have just ONE (1) deck to give to this Challenge. Not one per color, Sparky. ONE. Total. Please read and follow the deck-building rules (found below) very carefully. You don't want to awaken my Anger.
- 3. Submit your deck!
- Once your deck has a fancy, color-and-Pauper-reflecting name, head on over to my fanciful submission page, 2012 Pauper Challenge Submissions, and leave a link to your deck in a comment.
The deadline for submitting your deck is 11:59pm MST (Mountain Standard Time) on Sunday, August 19, 2012.
As stated on the link, if you wish to edit your deck after posting it, please change it, leave a new link, and write "REVISED" in the post with the new link. Revisions of decks will be held to the same deadline as deck submissions.
What I will do:
- 1. Assemble your deck on Cockatrice!
- Once all of the submissions have been collected, I will add each deck onto my Cockatrice account.
- 2. Set up a bracket for each color!
- Using a random number generator, I will build a tournament bracket for each color and place the corresponding decks into it.
- 3. Play your deck on Cockatrice!
- My trusted friend of comparable Magic skill and myself will play out the bracket by using the RNG to assign us the decks each of us will play according to the bracket, so as to not create any deck biases or preferences.
Matches between decks will be based off of the brackets and will be in a best-two-out-of-three format, much like your average FNM. There will be single-elimination rounds, narrowing down the decks until only one remains. For simplicity's sake, these decks will NOT be played in a Swiss format.
At the end of each color's bracket, I will post a follow-up article with game highlights and information on how each deck did, as well as the brackets and the pairings thereafter. And if you play your cards right (har-har), I might even post all of the games' dialogues, showing all of the plays, hands, and, less importantly, my and my friend's witty banter.
What you could WIN:
For the first time in TappedOut's extensive history of Article Challenges (or at least in the eight Articles I casually glanced at moments before typing this up), a Deck-Building Challenge will be rewarding you with Feature Tokens! You have the omniscient and benevolent yeaGO to thank for this!
- Should your deck win a color's bracket, you will be awarded 2 Feature Tokens.
- Should your deck take second place, you will be awarded 1 Feature Token.
Deck-building rules:
For the love of all that is good and holy, please follow all of these rules and provisions while building your deck. By the submission deadline, if your deck doesn't meet the following requirements and limitations, it will not be accepted.
- 1. You can only use Standard cards!
- You may only use cards from the following sets:
- Scars of Mirrodin
- Mirrodin Besieged
- New Phyrexia
- Magic 2012
- Innistrad
- Dark Ascension
- Avacyn Restored
- Magic 2013
That's about all I have for you at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask me either here on my profile.
Once again...
The deadline for submitting your deck is 11:59pm MST (Mountain Standard Time) on Sunday, August 19, 2012.
Keep in mind that your deck will only be playing against decks of the same color. Also, it's a good idea to go through and read all the commons in Standard for the color you choose. Cards that might be best used as soda-can coasters in Standard Constructed might be massive, game-breaking bombs in Pauper!
I'm excited to see what all of my Magic classmates come up with!
Oh, you hoodlum zandl, letting me only use one colour AND one deck. The pain this is going to cause me in deciding...
August 12, 2012 9:10 p.m.
JaredMatthewsArtwork says... #3
are we going by color identity like edh does or is this just mana cost?
August 12, 2012 9:10 p.m.
ThatCrazy_Walrus says... #5
well i just posted my deck on the article... I feel stupid.
August 12, 2012 9:24 p.m.
Jaya_student says... #6
Basically the same question as inquiringMindscrew, can I use Goblin Grenade ? it was a common back in Fallen Empires but an Uncommon in M12, can I still use it?
August 12, 2012 9:25 p.m.
ThatCrazy_Walrus says... #7
Jaya, it's the lastest printing rule, what ever rarity it was printed last, it's that rarity for all copies old or new.
August 12, 2012 9:26 p.m.
What about a card in standard twice? Torch Fiend Is a common in the Innistrad block and released as an uncommon in M13. This is especially significant because Torchfiend Semms like a pretty Good card for this challenge.
August 12, 2012 10:12 p.m.
for the no multi-colored decks rule do we go with the color of the spells or the spell's color identity? examples: Forbidden Alchemy Immolating Souleater
August 12, 2012 10:46 p.m.
http404error says... #10
Why aren't the colors allowed to compete with each other? I think that would add more variety to the metagame and prevent same-color landwalk from being auto-includes.
August 13, 2012 12:06 a.m.
If a card has been printed in both an older set and a Standard set, the newest rarity will be checked. So Goblin Grenade will be counted as an Uncommon.
For cards that have multiple printings in Standard at different rarities, (again) the newest rarity will be checked. I believe this is the fairest way to do this since Wizards has decided that whatever card it was was too powerful at its previous rarity. I believe this only applies to Torch Fiend , actually.
Color Identity will not be factor in determining which cards can go in a deck. I'm only concerned with the actual Color of the cards, which is determined by the mana cost. THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO THIS, however. For Werewolf cards and other flip cards, the backside's color identity must match your deck's color.
August 13, 2012 12:54 a.m.
Also, if there's enough of a demand to play the winning decks of each color against each other, then I suppose I would just have to abide.
August 13, 2012 1:05 a.m.
CRAP. No Loyal Cathar. And JUST as I was about to post my deck.
August 13, 2012 1:26 a.m.
http404error says... #14
Torch Fiend wasn't put at uncommon for power level reasons. It was for the sake of Limited (probably not many artifacts to remove and to promote simplicity), not Pauper or Standard or anything like that. Although I wouldn't run it anyways.
I don't think that the backsides of flip cards should be restricted since they don't have that color in the mana cost, which is what determines color.
August 13, 2012 1:40 a.m.
BrokenZygoma says... #15
@deck:stg I'm sitting here debating over Green Vs. Black right now...
August 13, 2012 2:16 a.m.
Those were BOTH the two colours I was tossing up between also!
I went with black in the end because I figured it'd be a mirror match-up with pump infect if I went with green...
August 13, 2012 6:54 a.m.
Wait.
There's only one card - Loyal Cathar Flip - that changes colors when it transforms.
Well, to hell with the "Werewolf" exception, then.
From this point forward, no form of color identity will matter in your deck-building. The only thing that matters is the color in the mana cost of your spells.
And now Loyal Cathar Flip becomes an auto-include in all the white decks.
August 13, 2012 1:31 p.m.
Also, even if the winning decks get played against each other, please don't include Doom Blade in your mono-Black deck that will only be playing against other mono-Black decks. Or Crushing Vines in a mono-Green deck that will only be playing against mono-Green decks. (If it's Artifact-hate you want, there are better options, anyhow.)
I'm not gonna name any names, ... but I might.
I mean, you can if you want to. I'm not saying, "You can't." But think about the effectiveness of the cards you choose in a color mirror match. Because that's what 95% of the tournament is.
August 13, 2012 1:36 p.m.
JaredMatthewsArtwork says... #20
I agree. Each color's winner should fight all the other color winners at the end. I don't know what ur doing to do with the pairings of 5 decks though... someone gets a by?
August 13, 2012 4:21 p.m.
Nice idea, I'll probably throw a pepper into this gumbo before it's finished. One question: why the restriction on colorless artifacts? It's already a monocolor deck and the restriction is a huge nerf to metalcraft abilities.
August 13, 2012 5:10 p.m.
mossflower says... #22
So... Somberwald Dryad is stupid in mono-green? There's literally no answer except to try to win the race.
Except they played Somberwald Dryad first; you're probably not going to win the race.
August 13, 2012 11:06 p.m.
Use Artifacts.
Or don't play Green.
Either way, you really shouldn't be complaining about it.
August 13, 2012 11:18 p.m.
JaredMatthewsArtwork says... #24
ummm.... there are definitely answers. The most obvious one is Prey Upon which is most likely in your deck anyways. You can always use Tumble Magnet , block something else with a Perilous Myr and use the damage to kill of dryad, use Arachnus Web , double Leeching Bite , etc. I'm not saying it won't be effective. I mean I'm sure Somberwald Dryad , Wandering Wolf , Orchard Spirit + pumps will be a thing (which now that I say that I kinda wish I would have went green since its my favorite and that would have been really good, but alas I went suicidal black). It's not something thats so broken it needs banned from this challenge though, so you can calm down a little.
August 14, 2012 12:38 a.m.
JaredMatthewsArtwork says... #25
Wow I'm kicking myself. That would have been really fun. Ugh...
August 14, 2012 12:47 a.m.
mossflower says... #26
Arachnus Web and Leeching Bite and the like aren't really answers: pump is all that deck would run. I guess my real complaint here is the restriction on artifacts, especially since they help so much with the natural problems of being mono-color. I suppose I just have to make those 8 slots count.
August 14, 2012 1:52 a.m.
8 Artifacts is a lot of Artifacts. Statistically, you should have at least 1 Artifact in each opening hand.
August 14, 2012 1:44 p.m.
@ud5soul: Can you post your final revised deck to the Submission page, just so it doesn't accidentally get skipped over?
August 14, 2012 1:45 p.m.
I accept that the rule is 8 or less artifacts and I don't really care to change it, but I was curious about the logic behind that decision. To reliably have metalcraft you should run at least 20-24 artifacts so the restriction to 8 makes metalcraft nearly useless. A card like Ardent Recruit can be a total badass in pauper, but I would never consider playing him with 8 artifacts (or even 12 with Porcelain Legionnaire ). It sounds like I'm griping, but I really was just curious about the logic of the decision. I'll just assume it's so that the decks aren't homogenous piles of flayer husks.
August 14, 2012 2:33 p.m.
I chose the 8 artifact limit to keep decks from becoming too homogeneous.
Metalcraft doesn't need 24 Artifacts in the deck. That's silly. Wolf Run Red can reliably achieve Metalcraft with, like, 8 and 4 Inkmoths.
And there are more options than just 8 colorless artifacts and Porcelain Legionnaire for getting Metalcraft in White, though I won't/can't tell you what. Hint: Search for spells that aren't Artifacts.
August 14, 2012 3:01 p.m.
Human_Rogue_21 says... #34
The deck i just posted says its somebody else's so if you can click on my name and find a deck called "Soul Sucker"...
August 14, 2012 3:02 p.m.
I've considered card:Master's Call but that card is just so terrible outside of certain edge cases. And I disagree regarding Wolf Run -- they run Galvanic Blast because it usually doesn't need to deal more than 2 damage (Delver, Inkmoth, mana dorks), but it's a nice perk when it (rarely) does deal 4. Jun'ya Iyanaga nugging what's-his-face for 16 in Worlds was a fluke. If a deck can't reliably have 3 artifacts by turn 3-4, metalcraft is useless because you'll just be overrun by opposing threats (especially in Pauper). So you need 3 of every 10-11 cards to be artifacts (18 artifacts in a 60 card deck can hit metalcraft 50% of the time by turn 3, and 50% is not a reliable number).
It's pretty moot at this point, mostly because I'm looking at submitting either a blue or a black deck :D. I might do some kind of crazy white infect nonsense since I think the White bracket is going to be pretty lame for you to play out.
August 14, 2012 3:57 p.m.
Human_Rogue_21 if that deck is supposed to be for this article you may want to read the article again and make some adjustments.
August 14, 2012 5:04 p.m.
@zaddos: He's got it covered. You may want to read the comments on his deck again and make some adjustments.
August 14, 2012 5:08 p.m.
Hello, fellow Pauper enthusiasts!
We are now nearly halfway to the end of deck construction! I'm here just to remind you of a few things and bring other points of interest to your awareness.
I have some additions and amendments to make to the deck-building rules and what I have said thus far in this topic:
- Color identity will NOT be checked in your deck's construction. Most notably, this means that Loyal Cathar Flip and his Black flip-side are legal for use in White decks. This also means that cards like Saving Grasp and Ancient Grudge are fair-game. Also note: Basic lands are inherently colorless. Hint-hint.
- I realize that normal Pauper rules say that if a card was EVER printed as a Common, it's legal for Pauper. This is NOT THE CASE for the Standard Pauper Challenge. Being STANDARD Pauper, a card must have been printed as a Common in a STANDARD set. So I don't want to see any Rancor , Fireball s, or Oblivion Ring s. For the only card with two different rarities in Standard (Torch Fiend ), I say he's legal for use. He was printed as a Common in a Standard set, so he falls under this new ruling.
- Get creative with your deck! Not to sound like a downer, but a lot of these decks look exactly the same. I have built a Pauper deck of each color and am keeping them private until Monday. Each one is highly competitive but is vastly different from anything I've seen so far. Look at the other decks and realize what you will be up against and what to expect! Learn from your opponents and they'll learn from you. This will lead to a far more competitive tournament.
- Who knows? If your deck wins its color bracket, it might wind up battling my own creation.
- Remember that, should your deck win its color bracket, it will go on to face each other winning deck in a sort of cage-match to the death. The format for the Top 5 decks will be Round Robin, in which each deck will play each other one, and the deck with the best record at the end the deckbuilder is crowned the All-Time Greatest Champion of Pauper Deckbuilding*.
- If you want to switch your deck's colors, that's completely fine! Just post your new deck on the submission page with a message like, "Hey, I'm indecisive, but at least it's before the deadline!", or something. Also, you should probably tell me in that post that THAT deck is the one you want me to use.
So keep on keepin' on, everybody. Time is a-tickin' away. You have until midnight MST on Sunday night!
* on TappedOut, for this challenge, out of those who submitted.
August 15, 2012 5:43 p.m.
JamesHughes says... #39
deck:red-pauper-4-zandlProb not very good. I just like the idea of the tournament.
August 15, 2012 10:32 p.m.
I would like to add this deck to the tournament entries. Not sure what the feature points are for but I was bored and figured I would conjour something up... :)
August 16, 2012 12:07 a.m.
JaredMatthewsArtwork says... #41
If you ever do this again it should be multicolor. It's so hard to build something different from everyone when confined so much. My creative juices dont flow easily when working with one color cuz its boring to me
August 16, 2012 2:03 a.m.
JamesHughes says... #42
Wrong zandl, Phyrexian Hulk was reprinted as uncommon in m13.
August 16, 2012 9 a.m.
UGplayerWillie: If I ever do this again, it'll be after Return to Ravnica is released and we'll have a ton of multicolored cards to work with. That would be the general plan for next time.
Also, this first challenge was mostly just to gauge how popular something like this would be. As of now, future challenges look promising.
@JamesHughes: Oh. Well if you play Phyrexian Hulk in your Pauper deck, then shame on you anyways. Can you and anderoide post your decks to the Deck Submission Page, the link to which can be found in the article? I just don't want to accidentally skip someone over when counting up the decks come Monday.
August 16, 2012 2:25 p.m.
JamesHughes says... #44
Sure thing, I'll find the link.
No intention of running a card that's THAT shit in my deck, but I was a big fan of the new phyrexia set, so I just felt like correcting you XD
August 16, 2012 5:04 p.m.
TristanTaylorsVoice says... #45
It seems a lot of people seem to favor landwalkers in their deck, but they should probably keep in mind that in the event their deck wins their color, those cards are much weaker when they're not unblockable! What is a Somberwald Dryad doing against a mono black deck for example? These things should be taken under consideration when even though you've accounted for 2-3 style decks in your color's archetype, you should also figure out how you're going to beat different colors, of which the decks are certainly different than whatever you've faced before. Beware of inbreeding!
August 17, 2012 1 a.m.
Alright, everybody!
We're coming up on the last day of submissions! Get those lists revised, finalized, and submitted!
You have until tomorrow (August 19) at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time to submit your deck and/or revisions to 2012 Pauper Challenge Submissions. Remember - If they aren't on that page, they won't be counted. Also remember that you can only use cards if they are printed as a Common in a STANDARD set!
Good luck to everyone who enters! I will add a new Article to T/O on either Monday or Tuesday with the complete list of decks, the tournament brackets, and the run-down on what's to come in the following weeks.
August 18, 2012 10:45 p.m.
Get 'em in!
Your fully revised Pauper decks are due on 2012 Pauper Challenge Submissions in a little over 7 hours from this post!
Please! If you have revised your deck at all and haven't linked to the new version yet, DO SO NOW! I will be taking your decks as they appear in your most recent comment on the link above.
Also, only one deck from each person will be accepted. If you have posted multiple decks on the submission page, I will take the deck from your most recent comment.
Get those last-minute fixes in and double-check that your deck abides by the rules stated in the Article and post #38 of this topic!
August 19, 2012 7:38 p.m.
Submissions are complete!
Thank you to all who made this challenge an overwhelming success! Look for a new Article either tomorrow or early on Tuesday!
August 20, 2012 3:08 a.m.
Later this week, sometime. School is starting for me soon and I'm rushing to get everything done.
August 22, 2012 1:28 a.m.
cooknathan says... #52
Cool. When you get around to it, could you link to the new article here so we can see it in our notifications. Thanks again.
August 22, 2012 2:08 a.m.
NEW ARTICLE IS UP! (It has a nearly identical name, so pay close attention!)
http://tappedout.net/mtg-articles/2012/aug/23/2012-standard-pauper-challenge/
August 23, 2012 4:38 p.m.
Blue results are up!
http://tappedout.net/mtg-articles/2012/sep/3/pauper-challenge-blue-results/?c=439937
InquiringMindscrew says... #1
If there is a card that has been reprinted from a earlier set but has a different rarity than the same card currently in Standard, is it considered the same rarity as it was when it was originally printed or is it considered whatever rarity it is currently?
August 12, 2012 8:57 p.m.