The deck looks amazing! Big improvement from when I first saw it!

My only question is do you have Ratchet Bomb instead of Engineered Explosives because of your budget or is there a reason that I am not seeing.

Seriously though, excellent work!

The deck looks amazing! Big improvement from when I first saw it!

My only question is do you have Ratchet Bomb instead of Engineered Explosives because of your budget or is there a reason that I am not seeing.

Seriously though, excellent work!

ZackBinks

Thanks man! I really appreciate that compliment. The reason I run Bomb over explosives is that they are essentially the same card, but Bomb can be ticked up with ease, if need be. At 0 it is for Tokens & Affinity. After that it goes to work on Infect or anything using 2 drops or 3's. I hope that helped clarify why. I do have explosives. I could test it out, for you and who knows--if it's better I'll have to do the exchange.

No need to test it for me my friend, I know how it works. Since you have access to 3 colors, Explosives is super powerful in your sideboard. You can also just set it to 0 to hit tokens and Affinity. It's much faster than Bomb in my opinion, but whatever works for you!

Oh wow, I didn't look at it in that way. Perhaps you are right. I guess the option to "move up/down" was what I had seen in Bomb. I overlooked the 3 color/0 on Explosives.

Hey man, can you expand on some of your sideboard choices? I am building a similar deck, and would be interested to find out about your choices.

Kiortio

I updated the page and set up a side board guide/explanation.

How is Bitterblossom testing for you? I've never liked it in control-y decks. I always feel like the life loss winds up hurting more than helping.

Sweet deck, man. I'm a sucker for Sultai control decks, it's what I would play if I had a real budget for modern. I just wish it was... well... Good.

TheDuggernaught

It hurt me alot. I actually just took it out. I wanted it to mimic a Lingering Souls, but that is hard. It did help my guys beef up if that helps.

Blue_Flame

Thanks man! yeah, MTG can be a burden on the pocket.

The closest thing to Lingering Souls that I have toyed with in Sultai colors is Worm Harvest, and Meloku the Clouded Mirror.

Loxodon Warhammer could go out for Batterskull, other than that I can't find a flaw

cplvela0811 been a while since I've seen you on doing well?

My main suggestion would be to trim your sideboard down to a more concise version in order to combat your meta. As it stands I feel that singular 1 inclusions from a side board rarely make enough of an impact when needed to dynamically change your deck to compete vs a weaker match-up (there will however always be some exceptions).

I agree with ArchFline, with the caveat that it's reasonable to have several one-ofs with overlapping uses that aren't targeted at a single deck and useless elsewhere. For example, my Mardu list runs single copies of Damnation, Anger of the Gods, and Engineered Explosives in the board.

What I would do, though, is clean up the list so each card is either a silver bullet that truly answers a problem deck or is simply strong in a number of matches. You're running Melira but there are answers to Infect that are useful elsewhere. Perhaps you want some extra countermagic in the board; it'll get rid of key pump spells and help you against decks with dangerous planeswalkers (Karn, Nahiri) or instants/sorceries you cannot afford to see resolve (Ad Nauseam).

Compare your life gain options. Feed the Clan, Pulse of Murasa, and Collective Brutality. Feed only buys you time while Pulse can also double as a way to go over the top of other midrange decks by buying back threats (though costing 1 more). Brutality, on the other hand, is possibly the best anti-Burn spell a deck without access to White mana can run. Are you worried about being run over by Zoo-type aggro or are these cards 3 answers to Burn alone? If it's just Burn, I'd run 3 Brutality and be done with it. If you need the "go long" value of Pulse in some matches try a 1/2 or 2/1 split with Brutality.

Hello everyone. Thanks for the comments and advice on the deck. I have been considering a some changes. You guys are right about the sideboard. It does need some trimming. I was running Pulse of Murasa, Feed the Clan, and Collective Brutality as ways to combat Aggro & Burn. It's like a two birds, one stone type of ordeal. I should and will adjust it.

ArchFline

I am all for 1 of's in decks--especially when playing Snapcaster Mage & Thought Scour. I see your point on the likelihood of seeing "said sideboard card", but to be fair--I have been in matches where I get Rakdos Charm and then beat Dredge. The probability of getting the "hate" cards you need is always increased when they are boarded into the deck--as opposed to Fatal Push against Tron, for Surgical Extraction (which you stated are exceptions). I should tidy up.

Omeros

Melira, Sylvok Outcast is amazing when you're at 6 infect & then drop her to resolve to normal damage win. You are right, there are other things that help be more offensive against these decks, but against Infect--They have the God hand or they don't. This deck actually favors really well against Infect, however. It's just my hose when I get it.

Apakakuta

I am actually going to play tonight. I will post the results. I am considering removing Grim Flayer. He is extremely well at filtering the deck when he connects, but I feel he & Snapcaster Mage might not work so well together. The reason I say this is because Snapcaster wants to have access to instants & sorcery, but Flayer wants us to keep it "diverse." I have been thinking about going back to the Hooting Mandrills version.

My opinion on Grim Flayer is he is a fantastic card. Pros -Fast clock Great filtering Plays well with delveWorks great at finding cards for MU'sCons-Deck building constraint Fights with snapcaster Alters the feel of the deckFights archetype plans due to "diversity"

Indian total I've found the card to be great but it's hard to fit into a set controlling strategy. And sadly BUG isn't as good at midrange as other BGx decks such as Abzan and Jund.

He also seems unfavorable in the switch in current modern meta.

Did you want to exchange contact information and talk a bit?

I actually think Snapcaster and Flayer work well together. You don't have to keep a random instant on top if you want it, because you have access to snapcaster and can cast it anyways. I think the Meta is going to shift in such a way that 2 Murderous Cuts and 2 Maelstrom Pulse will be needed in the 75.

Suggestions:

Go down to 2 Fatal Push. I have found that having 3 in the deck is usually just a little too many, and you will often have an extra copy sitting in your hand, dead. At least that is what happened to me at 3 copies.

Cut Yahenni's Expertise from the Maindeck. I understand wanting to get that sweet, sweet Ancestral Vision value, but I don't think this is good enough to see mainboard play in a competitive deck.

I don't like the Kiora, but if you want to play it, go for it. I think it costs too much mana and doesn't provide enough value for said high cost.

You need to clean up the sideboard, But you already know that.

Add 3 Fulminator Mage to the sideboard. This is very good vs Tron and Valakut decks.

I don't like the Warhammer or the Bauble, I think you can cut those for more interactive spells, like Spell Snare or Mana Leak. I understand wanting the lifelink of the Warhammer for burn, but you can't get it down until turn 3 on the minimum, and turn 4 before you equip it. By that point, it may just be too late.

I would consider building this if not for the Tarmogoyf... Sad.

How is Kiora treating you? I am assuming she has been okay as she has been in the list for a while now. I can definitely see her -2 being pretty nifty.

I still build and play without Tarmogoyf

AtomicEmpire

This list may play without Tarmogoyf. Go ahead. People say you do not need him, but I like to play them. No answer generally = Win and we are control. Hooting Mandrills, Grim Flayer, and Vendilion Clique are great in lieu of. You can also spice up your chicken with what ever other 4x Creatures you would like.

TheDuggernaught

I am actually really enjoying her capabilities, specifically in this 75. The 1st ability allows for delve and Stubborn Denial to really shine. Her 2nd ability is in essence a "draw 1-2 Cards" spell; all while fueling the graveyard, for Delve, Snapcaster Mage, and getting Tarmogoyf even better at closing out the game. I have actually yet, to use her 3rd ability. I imagine it ends games.

-Kiora, Master of the Depths

-Garruk Wildspeaker

-Jace, Architect of Thought

These were all tested out. I chose to stay with Kiora, but Garruk is equally rewarding.

I know how powerful Cryptic Command is in control - but can you reliably hit the triple blue required to cast it on time, let alone the quadruple blue to recast it with Snapcaster Mage?

I also tend to avoid 1-of counterspells. I find they're far too unreliable when in such short supply: you never can predict when you'll have them, and you never have them when you need them.

Regardless, looks like a good deck! You get a +1 from me.