Getting into Legacy
Legacy forum
Posted on April 15, 2015, 8:37 p.m. by vishnarg
I'm a long time modern player, and I don't like the metagame too much. Most games and deck strategies are extremely linear, and sometimes even boring. Is Legacy similar, or more intense and fun?
Anyways, I'm looking for a deck to start with. Here is what I have:
1 Tundra, all khans fetches and 2 Verdant Catacombs, 1 Jace, 1 Stoneforge, 1 Batterskull, 1 Snapcaster, 1 Divining Top, and a playset of Brainstorms and Ponders. I am willing to eventually buy 4 Force of Will but what could I buildbwith this that wouldn't be too much more expensive? I'd like to play some form of control or midrange preferrably, but I don't know the metagame.
Servo_Token says... #3
At the moment, you have the makings of a fine Miracles deck, or you can get way with a cheap sort of UW Delver deck.
You'd also have a better chance of getting a good answer if you define "Not that much more expensive"
April 15, 2015 8:58 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #4
The bigger card pool just means that you have more things to be concerned about as a control player, so there's that. As an intro to the format, I would play a linear aggro strategy or a combo deck.
April 15, 2015 8:58 p.m.
BloodoftheBloodMoon says... #5
In legacy, there is more room to "out play" an opponent. Counter wars get intense, rather than I'll cryptic your remand, it's more. I'll force your force, forcing my daze. Okay I'll Flusterstorm! Personally, I play legacy dredge. It doesn't interact with opponents much, but it's hella fun to play. Looking at the cards you have, it looks like a good stoneblade deck. As for meta game, it's always shifting. No deck is "the best" with the exceptions of tier one decks. There is no splinter twin of legacy. Each deck can beat each deck. The larger card pool allows for better sideboards. When it comes down to it, it's not about money. It's about the person piloting the deck.
April 15, 2015 9:13 p.m.
BloodoftheBloodMoon says... #6
As for intensity, each game I play is extremely intense and my heart pounds extremely fast each game I play. My buddy plays a lot of modern too, and he doesn't get too shaky in tournaments, but in legacy his hands were shaking so much he couldn't read his cards!
April 15, 2015 9:16 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #7
I disagree with ThatJunkMage playing a deck that has large lines of play and punishes you for misplays forces you to learn to play correctly. with the cards you own Miracles(U/w no red splash)would be a great deck(i play it myself)! you want to run a large number of basics, so you can play the deck at your lgs with just the 1 dual.
April 15, 2015 9:18 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #8
For the most part, it's an easy format to play, but harder than anything but Vintage to play well. You have to know interactions between commonly seen cards very well, and know what tools your opponents may have access to. As a Modern player first and a Legacy player second, I have learnt that it is an entirely different mindset.
That said, it's not too hard to win games if you play solid, consistent decks. Shardless BUG can always stay in games because it has such powerful attrition tools, and the same goes for Miracles and Stoneblade decks.
I would go for Stoneblade, just because Miracles is the single hardest deck in the format to pilot.
April 15, 2015 9:23 p.m.
I have the means to acquire another Stoneforge. What are the merits of Stoneblade (how does it run and fair) vs. Miracles? I've played around with miracles a little and it seems kinda slow and clunky, but I'm probably playing it wrong.
April 15, 2015 9:23 p.m.
Miracles is very slow. It will not do anything until the win is absolutely guaranteed and the skill ceiling is extremely high. Like GlistenerAgent said, it's probably the hardest deck in the format to play efficiently. Stoneblade, on the other hand, can win games at any point due to, for example, landing a T2 Stoneforge Mystic into a T3 Batterskull and going from there. It can also play control and save the win-cons for later and instead just use its removal to keep threats out of the way for a bit.
April 15, 2015 9:26 p.m.
I really liken the sound of Stoneblade because I've always been a big fan of abusing Turn 2 Stoneforge. Can that deck run Deathrite? Should it? Also is replacing some of the duals with the corresponding shocks a good idea, or if I'm gonna skip on some duals should they be replaced with just basics?
April 15, 2015 9:26 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #12
Miracles is slow and that's part of why it's such a tough deck to play. Ive won more than my fair share of games with a snapcaster swinging for 2 on my opponents empty board while I have countertop online. Stoneblade, especially versions running True-Name Nemesis are much more oriented to a midrange game plan, playing strong threats and answers. Miracles is basically 58 answers and 2 copies of Entreat the Angels
April 15, 2015 9:28 p.m.
Deathblade is also good, but it's different. The deck operates a bit more aggressively due to the ability to jam a T1 Deathrite Shaman. And regarding the duals, shocks are definitely worth it over the basics. Getting mana screwed is a much bigger problem because you might not need as many lands but they must all be in the colors you want. Legacy decks don't tend to run many basics (much of the time less than the standard four or five in Modern for three-color decks) and life is used for fetches and Gitaxian Probe and Force of Will already, so taking an extra 2 sometimes isn't the biggest problem in the world.
April 15, 2015 9:29 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #14
If you want to play Deathrite Shaman, you can take it in a more Maverick-style build with other hatebear creatures, or you could just build Deathrite into the Esper shell with a splash of green for his abilities.
Since Underground Sea costs a butt and a half, I'd stick to a Jeskai Stoneblade shell, which can be customized to be a more aggro Young Pyromancer version or a more controlling Snapcaster Mage Jace version. That deck does play at least six dual lands, but basics and even shocklands can do the job fine for the time being.
April 15, 2015 9:29 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #15
vishnarg look up deathblade. Its literally stone blade playing deathrites.
April 15, 2015 9:29 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #16
Yeah, shocklands only really hurt when you play against Delver. I'm told that your matchup there is generally good, so that should be fine.
April 15, 2015 9:31 p.m.
Delver isn't too popular anymore anyway. There are some BUG lists mainly sticking to the card just because it has so much other good stuff already and there are still dedicated Delver lists floating around, but they're somewhat few and far between.
April 15, 2015 9:32 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #18
Driver is still fairly popular, especially with the patriot version with stoneforge mystic running around.
April 15, 2015 9:34 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #19
Also to answer other question, playing legacy is some of the most fun you'll have in magic.
April 15, 2015 9:36 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #20
Second only, of course, to the fun you have playing Modern.
That is, actual Modern. Not stupid Modern.
April 15, 2015 9:40 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #22
You were most likely playing stupid Modern, my friend. :)
April 15, 2015 9:47 p.m.
I've been playing modern since the format started - literally like the first weekend I built a deck. For the entire life of modern, there has always been one extremely oppressive, balanced deck, and then a bunch of more fringe decks that are extremely match-up oriented. I want to try legacy because I think I have the skill for it and because modern is getting old.
Anyway, as much as I like Deathrite Shaman, I think maybe excluding him would be a good idea. Does anybody here actively play Stoneblade? Is there a primer on this site? Anybody know anyone who does play it? I feel like I need a mentor to build and learn the deck.
April 15, 2015 9:58 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #24
BBD and Brad Nelson of SCG play death blade and have primers on the acc site. I used to play it, but I fell in love with Miracles a few months ago. The only reason to not run deathrite is because you don't want to buy 2-3 underground seas, 2-3 tundras a trop, a bayou and a scrubland. That shit is nuts, but you can build a ton of decks from those lands. The other reason is because the manabase is one of, if not the trendiest in legacy, wasteland will wreck your cookies if the player using it is smart.
April 15, 2015 10:04 p.m.
Yeah, I can't afford those duals. I'm a college student. I need as few Duals as possible. Is Deathblade better than Stoneblade?
April 15, 2015 10:07 p.m.
BloodoftheBloodMoon says... #27
Look on mtgtop8.com. That's where I get all my competitive deck ideas. It's all the decks that have placed in a tournament of some sorts and has their deck lists. Take a look at what the core of the deck is, and what flex spots there is. Fiddle around with the numbers of cards and make the deck your own. The only way to learn the deck is repetitive playing, and trial and error. Learn from your mistakes, and have fun :P
April 15, 2015 10:09 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #28
I against each other? Yeah. I'm a vacuum? Yeah. But ultimately they're Very different decks and your record will be reflected by skill. If you want to cram SFM out with spell pierce back up and just get crazy with it, roll death blade. I switched to stone blade before I played miracles, it's slower, and less explosive, you're missing MB grave hate. But both decks are a blast. I really suggest proxying the 2 and finding someone to practice with you and find a deck you like. Selling the u/w cards and using it to bankroll another deck maybe the way.
April 15, 2015 10:12 p.m.
BloodoftheBloodMoon says... #29
The only advantage death blade has on stone blade is deathrite shaman. And perhaps Abrupt Decay which is op. It all depends on who's playing the deck, the luck of the draw, and who can get the others life to 0 first
April 15, 2015 10:13 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #30
Stoneblade runs Mb wraths, it has a decent chance against DB if they play the match right.
April 15, 2015 10:16 p.m.
BloodoftheBloodMoon says... #31
When it really comes down to it, it's really just your preference in what you want to play, and which one you find more fun. Do you like the more controlling game? Or the explosive starts with heavy back up for the late game?
April 15, 2015 10:19 p.m.
I'll have to rest on it... I'll do some playtesting and buy Force of Wills and see where to go from there. Thanks everyone.
April 15, 2015 10:20 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #33
I've recently started building Deathblade, Abzan. You could do Sultai. It's extremely versatile and has a ton of answers and options.
Miracles is a true draw-go control deck. Delver still shows up, and is a good deck.
Legacy is extremely diverse and very fast, at times. Turn 1 or 2 wins aren't uncommon. This is why running 
for Force of Will is so good in the format. Also 
for Thoughtseize, Duress, Inquisition of Kozilek, and Cabal Therapy. Discard in general...
I play RDW, 12 Post, and Abzan Deathblade. I'm Tinkering with MUD, as well. I have friends that play Dredge, Affinity, homebrew combo, Show and Tell, and a few others.
April 15, 2015 10:24 p.m.
I also have an Umezawa's Jitte and a playset of Thoughtseize I forgot to mention. Maybe Deathblade is my best option.
April 15, 2015 10:30 p.m.
EndStepTop says... #35
From first hand experience, it's a great deck go for it homie.
bigguy99 says... #2
Looks like you want to build some form of Stoneblade or Miracles. Both are great control decks. Concerning the meta, for the most part it's much faster than Modern and punishes misplays a lot harder. Some decks are linear, some aren't. Overall it's just a lot more difficult.
April 15, 2015 8:57 p.m.