Concedes for No Reason?
Modern forum
Posted on March 14, 2016, 10:34 p.m. by amazingdan
I recently took a close look at the Ad Nauseam combo deck. It occurred to me that the majority of people will concede when Ad Nauseam is cast, as they know what's coming. Or at least, they think they do.
What if your were to run a normal Ad Nauseam deck, but with no wincon? This opens up at least one more slot, and possibly more if you cut the Simian Spirit Guides as well(although that probably wouldn't be the smartest move, as Nauseam needs all the ramp it can get). That probably isn't a huge improvement, but you never know.
Now, obviously this is incredibly risky. If your opponent is newer to the game and doesn't know what Ad Nauseam is, you'll have to explain this to them. This has the possibility of blowing your cover sky-high if they want to read the combo card(s). Some players might just want to wait and see if you have enough lands to kill them. Others might just want to make you play through your deck out of salt or habit. If somebody wants to take a look at your deck after the game for whatever reason, that also spells doom. There are numerous different ways you could be found out. This also has an exponentially higher chance of being found out if you play Magic online.
If you're new at a game store or you don't have good a relationship with those that frequent said game store, this might not be the best move. If you are found out, you could be shunned, disqualified, or even just simply kicked out. I don't think it violates any actual rules, but you might step on some metaphorical toes. However, if you know most of the people there, it could be pretty banterous if/when they find out they scooped for no reason.
This is just an idea that occurred to me. I'm sure there are plenty of reasons not to do anything I just said, but it seemed cool in my head. I'm sorry if I just broke some taboo in Modern, I'm not super familiar with it.
Thoughts?
fluffybunnypants says... #3
This sort of thing can happen, but I don't recommend intentionally doing it. I bluffed my way out of more than my fair share of games with AdNaus, but on occasion they make you have it, especially at actual tournaments with good players (who should always make you show to them).
March 14, 2016 10:45 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #4
If you even play in a large tournament, one in which the decklists are revealed after some time, the jig will be up for obvious reasons. I wouldn't ever try this above the FNM level.
Even at the FNM level, what's the point? Why not just include the win in the deck to kill them with? How is it that much different from not doing so -- is there really any real benifit?
March 14, 2016 10:46 p.m.
vampirelazarus says... #5
Just to point out, you won't be disqualified for doing it if they are conceding before you start comboing off.
March 14, 2016 11:12 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
It isn't illegal to run a deck with no win con. You can't be disqualified for doing that.
March 14, 2016 11:24 p.m.
kipahlord13 says... #8
Here's a story from a couple years ago of Luis Scott-Vargas doing just that, but in Vintage, not Modern
March 14, 2016 11:58 p.m.
Other than having a neat story, there's no practical reason to do this. There's no one card that's going to make up the difference in games you lose because your opponents ask to play it out vs games you lose because you drew Lightning Storm early.
March 15, 2016 12:21 a.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #10
There was one guy who won a GP with Flash Hulk, but didn't know how his combo worked for the first 5 rounds or so. Played against Owen Turtenwald who said "Show me", and he lost that round but later learned to play out his combo.
March 15, 2016 12:52 a.m.
I just want to point out that simian spirit guide is not "ramp" in ad nauseum its used to cast lightning storm after drawing your deck. Also yeah thats just dumb because any good magic player will ask you to play out the combo or show some understanding of it before going to the next game.
March 15, 2016 5:08 a.m.
Titilanious says... #12
I think it falls under a kind of psycology of the game and how your opponent thinks, while it is not smart to just assume things about your opponent it is smart to understand how they think. So all in all it is a bluff that if you were able to sell it enough it would work but i wouldn't recommend it.
Fun thought tho :)
March 15, 2016 11:34 a.m.
In high level games you always make the opponent show you. They often make mistakes. Sometimes they fizzle. You never know. Better to be safe and allow them to make a mistake than to assume they won't
March 15, 2016 12:37 p.m.
Dredge4life says... #14
@TheDevicer There's a gif for this, it's got a picture of a bear or something and it references no win-con. Do you want to post it or shall I?
GlistenerAgent says... #2
People have thought of this. It's a gimmick that only works at a casual level, and only maybe at that. Don't do it.
March 14, 2016 10:40 p.m.