Glass Cannon: Turn 2 in a Turn 4 Format

Modern forum

Posted on Dec. 9, 2012, 10:49 p.m. by pheonix_222

So there's this deck in Modern that has been floating around that boasts a (pretty) consistent turn 2 win.

Griselbrand's Glass Cannon is my version on the site.

Is this deck breaking the Modern format? I've heard Wizards call Modern 'a Turn 4 format', meaning no deck is supposed to win a lot before turn 4.

I know turn 3 wins have been around forever, but is Turn 2 deserving of a ban? If so what should be banned?

MTG Salvation thread:

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=418264

Epochalyptik says... #2

The deck would need to make a serious showing at a few major events before WotC would consider banning any of its key components.

If the deck isn't consistent enough, then it won't be banned. I don't know enough about Modern to advise you on its construction or matchups, so I won't go that far.

December 9, 2012 11:17 p.m.

UniTheDino says... #3

No. This does not break the format. It does not need a ban. This deck is not, and probably cannot, be consistent enough to require a ban.

December 10, 2012 12:03 a.m.

alpinefroggy says... #4

Modern has so many ways of disrupting it as it is a very fragile combo, then it won't get banned. For turn four there's eggs, storm and even scapeshift which are all very resiliant.

December 10, 2012 12:17 a.m.

pheonix_222 says... #5

Even if it's not deserving of a ban, after playing with this deck a lot in the format I've had so many people table flip on me it's sad. It's probably not a fun experience for more casual players to be outed on turn 2.

December 10, 2012 1:15 a.m.

mafteechr says... #6

I can win on turn 2 with Hive Mind , and turn 3 even easier. It's not extremely consistent, so it doesn't get banned. The same goes for Glass Cannon (it has that name for a reason...).

December 10, 2012 10:15 a.m.

Wsebaste says... #7

I just did a bit of goldfishing with this deck. I just counted the number of turns it took me to pop Griselbrand onto the table, 20 separate times. I always chose to draw instead of go first.

I averaged at 7.1 turns. After stripping upper outliers for two really bad games (19 and 28 turns respectively), I came to 5.2 turns per game.

This is a powerful deck if you can get the ball rolling early. Having Faithless Looting in your opening hand really gets this thing going, especially if you already have Griselbrand in it.

However, if your opponent is quick with the aggro, or can shut down any of your early shenanigans, you could be stuck with a Griselbrand in your hand and nothing to do with him.

December 11, 2012 1:42 a.m.

Rayenous says... #8

Interesting to note that this deck can win on the first turn.

Chancellor of the Tangle , Simian Spirit Guide , Swamp , Faithless Looting , Griselbrand , card:Goryo's Vengeance

Reveal the Chancellor of the Tangle , Exile the Simian Spirit Guide , Play and use the Swamp , Cast Faithless Looting , discard Griselbrand , cast card:Goryo's Vengeance... combo out for the win.

Still has room for Pact of Negation in the first hand, or drawn by Faithless Looting

December 11, 2012 8:42 a.m.

twinjuno says... #9

and card:Green Sun's Zenith is banned? would any of the affinity decks with on turn two? ever? i almost threw away my card box when i saw this, and am still a little nauseous... erp! OMG... give me a sec... I 'm going to be sick.

January 11, 2013 5:02 a.m.

twinjuno says... #10

with = win

January 11, 2013 5:03 a.m.

pheonix_222 says... #11

Storm with Pyromancer Ascension can get a turn 2 win. But it's pretty uncommon, Every other deck seems to clock out turn 3+

January 12, 2013 6:35 p.m.

serenechaos says... #12

If you want to consistently win on turn 2, you'll probably want to play my Puresteel Paladin deck.

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=472528

February 3, 2013 8:18 a.m.

MindAblaze says... #13

Speaking of turn one combo wins...what's the best replacement for Dread Return available in modern?

March 21, 2013 3:22 p.m.

pheonix_222 says... #14

Goryo's Vengeance, Footsteps of the Goryo, Makeshift Mannequin, and Unburial Rites seem to be the only reanimation being played currently in modern,

Unburial Rites seems to work best in Gifts Ungiven decks. at the end of opponent's turn you cast Gifts Ungiven, you don't need to find all 4 cards, so you can just fetch Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite or Iona, Shield of Emeria and an Unburial Rites and they both have to go to the grave, then on your turn you can flashback your fatty.

March 21, 2013 3:37 p.m.

This discussion has been closed