GQ is definitely viable without loam or crucible, however since you play smallpox, crucible plays very well with your deck.

Obviously Persecution is better than the similar Charm mode, but the question is whether versatility is better than power. Since I don't expect regeneration to matter or that I'll fire off Charm at an enchantment, I'll give the edge to Persecution.

I'll try a couple more games without GQ and then throw in some with it. I'll cut at least one Windswept Heath for it and either a second or the Plains. I wouldn't see myself firing it off at Flagstones that often since it doesn't ramp and kinda loses me the game if Aven Mindcensor or similar happens, but it's definitely a play to consider.

I could see Crucible doing work in this deck with a lot more than GQ, but I think I'd rather stick with the higher land count than dilute it.

One of the reasons I'm doing this is because it allows me to keep more hands, which is very important. Plenty of fetches, a singleton Tasigur (rather than 2 or 3), and 3 Flagstones all let me keep more hands. I'd much rather keep a 3-lander than a 2-lander and Crucible.

If I put in Sigarda, it'll probably take Torpor Orb or Rule of Law's place. Only testing will tell!

OMG I just Wished for Fracturing Gust and 6-for-1'd Affinity! New record!

Gaining 12 life also is good. I hope that you didn't somehow lose from there?

Ha no kidding. I actually only gained 10, but he had to sac Glimmervoid at the end step. He left the game after that.

What do you think about Ghost Quarter/Crucible of Worlds in this deck?

It's really cute, and when it works it's good. However, I feel like it's only good against Tron. It really shines in the big attrition matchups, but the GBx decks will just Abrupt Decay it, and control decks won't let Crucible resolve. If your Tron matchup is really bad then I'd consider it, because it's not necessarily bad in the other matchups, but otherwise I don't think it's great.

I'm inclined to agree. As much as I initially liked the idea, Crucible isn't practical for this deck.

"26 lands" is still an odd sight to me, but "24 lands and 2 pseudo-LD cards" is what I'll be trying next for a while.

Hey NotaNetDeck! I'm just build this deck and I'm testing it, too. I think crucible isn't the correct way. But we should analyse the GQ and surgical tech and see how to put them in. Greetings!

Hey sammydeluxe, I'm glad you like and want to try the deck.

Before I upped the land count, the mana base used to be very important not to dilute. Now that I run 26 lands, I think 2 GQs, which are great despite that they can color-screw me, will work perfectly.

Surgical Extraction seems like it could work in the main, but it also seems like it could be a dead card a lot of the time. Even though it forces a concession against Tron combined with GQ, I'm not sure it's worth trying. However, since you're also building the deck, be my guest and let me know how it goes!

NotaNetDeck we should really analyse to fit a second fulminator if GQ + Surgical plan is not in.

Alright, but I'll have to get on that next week when I get to a place that doesn't have terrible wifi.

If you guys are still talking about beating Tron, have you considered Hide/Seek? All it needs is 1 SB spot. It removes Tron's biggest weapon, and nets you 15 life. Not bad. Not great generally against anybody else, but it's 1 spot. Just a thought.

formayor I don't think that this is a solid idea. Tron can win you with Karn or Ugin.Even if they reset the game with Oblivion Stone because of their mana base they will be far infront of us.

Indeed. I don't disagree with that, of course Tron can still win, but it's a decent advantage that doesn't take up much space. Of course there's more effective things against Tron too, but it's an okay move if you can't jam a better plan in there.

Ummm last I checked Smallpox can wreck Tron...

APPLE01DOJ, it definitely can.

However, Smallpox, already a situational card, becomes much more so against Tron. Smallpox is at its best when Tron has only one creature and no redundancy in its lands. When they have 2x Urza's Tower and Karn Liberated, Smallpox is anything but effective, which necessitates answers like Fulminator Mage and Maelstrom Pulse.

That said, Seeking a Karn or Ugin seems cute, but not like a game-winner. I appreciate the suggestion, though.

Also sammydeluxe, how much of the deck have you built?

I don't feel like your deck utilizes Smallpox correctly at all. I know it's not within your budget but you really need Liliana of the Veil in this deck. ...otherwise I would cut Smallpox and go for a straight ramp strategy instead...

APPLE01DOJ, that first bit is fair.

I would say that the deck is not as streamlined as possible and can be overly complex, but I disagree with your premise; that there is a correct way to use Smallpox. It's a multi-faceted card, and has been successfully used in aggro and combo/control decks. I don't see why a grindy midrange build should be any less "correct."

Liliana of the Veil would be a great choice to supplement the redundancy of Smallpox, but I feel I've minimized the drawbacks of not being able to run her. I have plenty of spot removal, sweepers, and even LD for similar effects. To boot, I can Wish for a copy of Loxodon Smiter, which effectively hard-counters an opposing Lili's +1.

The last bit, I must say, I don't understand whatsoever. The only element in the deck even capable of ramping is Garruk Wildspeaker, so you can expect me to take this with a grain of salt since it has no relevance.

To clarify I was saying you should add a ramp element to the deck in place of Smallpox.

I really don't think you quite understand what Liliana of the Veil does... She literally controls the game & is exactly what you want to ripple the Pox effect in a grindy game plan. If you're poxing with no follow up besides Souls or Finks 2 turns later you're going to struggle.

Have you seen my Smallpox deck? I ran it for over a year and it has a quite similar play style albeit a different approach. Of Plague & Persecution -R.I.P.-

-_- I do in fact understand what Lili does. I happen to know that she's the second-best planeswalker printed thus far and that she's capable of controlling a game. I also know that as good as she is, she's still beatable. But discussing a card that I clearly can't play is moot. I'll get back to you when I have $400 for a playset :P

True that. What do you think about the ramp idea?

I'd say it's different enough of a build that it wouldn't even by worth it to call it the same deck.

I did just check out your deck, APPLE01DOJ, and yeah, they do have a pretty similar play style. Your deck also looks pretty sweet, so +1.

I notice you're playing a Phyrexian Arena and some Bitterblossoms... I took my Arenas out of the main because they sucked against Burn and the like. I'm curious though, how has BB worked out for you? Also, how has your deck done in tournament play?

Have you ever tried playing Birds in this list? It seems like getting head on mana and creatures early would be especially beneficial in this deck. Also this is an awesome deck and list, +1

I'm glad you like the deck, Fishbone! I haven't tried BoP in this list, but I tried Deathrite Shaman during the two seconds it was legal and Utopia Sprawl a little bit after that.

Cheap mana dorks do allow for explosive plays, but I'd usually end up sacrificing them to Smallpox, which isn't too advantageous. As for Utopia Sprawl, it fixed that problem, but made me VERY vulnerable to LD. Also, the deck never seemed to draw very many lands before I upped the count, but now there are enough to sacrifice and discard and I'll still have a good chance of hitting land drops.