How to beat Titan Bloom with UWR Control?
Modern forum
Posted on Feb. 23, 2015, 2:04 p.m. by TheAnnihilator
First off, I'll apologize if anyone has asked this before. In fact, I may have asked this before, but I don't remember if I have or not. So... take that as you will.
Anyways, how do I beat Titan Bloom? I can only use Path to Exile to beat a Titan (which I don't always have in hand), and even then they just Hive Mind into the green pact to kill me, and I can't do anything because my counterspells get countered by their copies of them. Help?
Maybe Shadow of Doubt and Aven Mindcensor would work?
GlistenerAgent says... #4
Firstly, counter their big spells. Maindeck a Counterflux or two if you really need to. Spell Snare should be at least a 3-of to counter Goyfs, Snapcaster Mages and Summer Blooms in this matchup. 4 Path to Exile should also be in your deck because it's excellent against Abzan and Twin in addition to answering Titan.
February 23, 2015 2:53 p.m.
GlistenerAgent Bloom titan doesn't run Snapcaster or goyf they usually only run primetime, azusa, and maybe simian spirit guide
February 23, 2015 3:05 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #6
I'm aware. Spell Snare counters those cards, which are prevalent --> you want a lot in your deck. It is also very good in this matchup as it counters Summer Bloom.
February 23, 2015 3:20 p.m.
Countering is your best bet. Wait for them to dump their buildup spells then counter the Titan/Hive mind and proceed to win.
February 23, 2015 4:02 p.m.
bijschjdbcd says... #8
It's not that easy, They have Tolarian Academy to grab Pact of Negation which can protect pretty easily.
The matchup is really swingy, And potentially really hard to play from a control perspective.
Aven Mindcensor is amazing and so is Shadow of Doubt these are the best ways to combat the deck.
Land hate it horribly slow. Unless it is Tect Edge but they can still play lands in a way which denies you priority to actually use it.
February 23, 2015 5:30 p.m.
I'm aware of the Pact, I used to pilot the deck. I wouldn't say it's "pretty easy," though. They have to prioritize that move over winning on the spot in most cases, so even if all you've done is buy yourself a turn that's game changing. If they're protecting a Hive Mind, the pact won't kill you (unless they drop a second, which is possible but unlikely). If it's a titan, they'll be able to swing (unless they're choosing to tutor for a different package), but you should ultimately survive. Is it an instant-win silver bullet? No, but it's a practical strategy that is effective against most variations of the deck.
February 23, 2015 5:34 p.m.
JexInfinite says... #10
I like to use Swan Song and counterspells to beat the pact kill, and Shadow of Doubt to screw the searching.
Cryptic Command is one of the better ways to win a slow game by killing their lands. You could also live the dangerous life with Fulminator Mage.
February 24, 2015 3:29 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #11
Valorous Stance kills Titan efficiently.
Ghost Quarter is pretty good, but we don't play it. Tectonic Edge is kinda bad because it's super easy to play around, especially since the deck can have 6 mana from 3 lands.
February 24, 2015 3:30 a.m.
PreZchoICE1 says... #13
the first key to you getting a victory, is playing first. Shattering Spree is the nuts versus bloom/tron though, in addition to what you already have.
February 24, 2015 2:05 p.m.
JexInfinite says... #14
PreZchoICE1 I much prefer Wear / Tear against Amulet Bloom, because you can also kill Hive Mind.
February 25, 2015 2:12 a.m.
Death_The_Kid says... #15
Blood Moon is deadly, counter spells is poweful Ghost Quarter i think should be good because they dont run many basic lands if any Dispel for pacts Spell Snare works too Torpor Orb or Hushwing Gryff to prevent the ETB of the Prime
February 25, 2015 3:42 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #16
Death_The_Kid Torpor Orb and Hushwing Gryff are for Titan specifically. I'd rather not side in slow cards like that. So what, they have land? If I have a path, or a way to stop the combo completely, I'd rather use that.
February 25, 2015 4:09 a.m.
bijschjdbcd says... #17
And Aven Mindcensor which has already been mentioned shuts off the titan and Tolaria West anyway so just play it?
Before someone gives the reason of budget if you actually care about loosing to the deck a $10 card shouldn't be an issue, Not even mentioning the fact Aven is a bird wizard.
February 25, 2015 5:35 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #18
Blood Moon is literally your best bet. Have that hit the field and they always concede. Negate, Spell Pierce and Remand are also really useful, along with Vendilion Clique. You could use Aven Mindcensor, but I don't suggest it as it doesn't really do you much good against other decks besides Scapeshift. But Blood Moon just does it all better. Run that.
February 25, 2015 10:44 a.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #19
The only issue with Blood Moon is that it also harms my own mana base, which hurts as a tri-color deck.
February 25, 2015 10:49 a.m.
PreZchoICE1 says... #20
Aven Mindcensor is viable versus basically every deck in the format except Burn. Blood Moon isn't that great oftentimes they have a way to play around it. Blood Moon should only really be a consideration in mono red decks imo. It is definitely not an auto concede.
February 25, 2015 10:51 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #21
I have never lost to a game by playing a Blood Moon :3
The main point with it in a control deck is that it hoses your opponents advance, letting you draw the cards you need for mana. If you know you have Blood Moon in your deck, the first things you should be getting are Plains and Islands. Just one of each and you are good to go. I only suggest it against Tron/Bloom Titan/Scapeshift as it isn't good enough against Tri-coloured decks.
Oh, and Aven Mindcensor has done literally nothing for me. Most decks don't use tutoring anymore and fetches come out first thing, practically shutting down the usefulness of it. Aven Mindcensor also doesn't stop Bloom Titan all to well due to the high prevalency for them to just draw into a win condition. They have access of up to 8 after all.
February 25, 2015 10:57 a.m.
PreZchoICE1 says... #22
Femme you play on cockatrice though, it's not like you're playing Blood Moons and top 8ing at GPs and PTs. Hell you arent even winning with that at PPTQ or PTQs. Please stahp. Blood Moon is only good in Burn decks. Its not assisting a 3 color mana base in the slightest bit. 2 color mana base is borderline in the sideboard.
February 25, 2015 11 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #24
The reason why I'm not winning is because I don't even go. I've never been to an FNM once. I've been to a game day, and I regret doing that without having my deck built properly. I don't have the money to build my decks, and I'm not going with a half built jank deck so I don't even bother going.
Hjaltrohir says... #2
Aven Mindcensor and Shadow of Doubt kill their titan ability, but honestly things like Sowing Salt, Tectonic Edge, Ghost Quarter and other LD works great as well. Another nifty tick is bouncing a land with Cryptic Command. Against Hive Mind, something like Erase, Tempest of Light, Paraselene or something like that would also work.
February 23, 2015 2:09 p.m.