Sideboard choice

Deck Help forum

Posted on March 30, 2012, 11:52 a.m. by esterk

Hey all,

I've got a Birthing PodMTG Card: Birthing Pod deck i may try out at FNM, G/W/B Birthing, and wanted some opinions on one of my sideboard choices. Obviously I want to protect my pod against removal, so I have Faith's ShieldMTG Card: Faith's Shield as a defense. However, I was wondering if you guys think Apostle's BlessingMTG Card: Apostle's Blessing would be a better choice?

Thanks!

OmegaSerris says... #2

Well the first difference to come to mind is protecting your non-creature non-artifacts (namely Planeswalkers). Faith's Shield can target them if you need, while Apostle's Blessing can't. A quick peek at your deck shows you aren't running anything in that category, so we can ignore that difference.

After that, both function basically the same in your deck with some slight differences. Faith's Shield is more color heavy (requiring a White mana source) but has the added benefit of a sweeping effect later game allowing it to function as either a FogMTG Card: Fog or mass evasion so you can swing in for the kill. The Pod's Phyrexian mana costs can also help you obtain Fateful Hour if you need it.

On the other hand, Apostle's Blessing is much less color heavy. This allows you to use it early game, every game in a three color deck like yours. It also has one more tweak over the Shield. It can protect your target from artifacts. Not only can this help you deal with a Wurmcoil EngineMTG Card: Wurmcoil Engine a lot more easily, but you can use it offensively to knock the Swords (or other equipment) off of an enemy creature. Trust me, opponents never see that coming.

So I guess it is up to your personal preference and what your meta looks like.

March 30, 2012 12:32 p.m.

esterk says... #3

Thanks for the input! I didn't even think of half that stuff, haha. You really did raise a lot of good points. I think I may try out Faith's ShieldMTG Card: Faith's Shield tonight, because the Fateful Hour bonus is really useful in my deck, since I use life to Pod out if I need to. But if that white mana becomes an issue, I'll switch over to Blessing. Thanks!

March 30, 2012 2 p.m.

This discussion has been closed