Jeskai mentor vs mardu mentor
Modern forum
Posted on March 5, 2016, 11:09 p.m. by HavokX
Ever since Monastery Mentor came out, I've really wanted to make a tempo deck with him and Young Pyromancer but I'm not sure what my third colour should be. Blue brings cantrips, counterspells, Snapcaster Mage, and Delver of Secrets Flip (?) whereas black brings hand disruption, unconditional removal, Dark Confidant, Liliana of the Veil (?), and Lingering Souls. Do you guys have any experience with either version? Sample homebrew or netdeck deck lists?
JexInfinite says... #3
The only bonus Mardu gets is Slaughter Pact. Blue gets reactive spells, and things like Serum Visions. I would only run 2 Snaps in a Jeskai list if you're going 4 Pyros and 4 Mentors.
March 5, 2016 11:59 p.m.
There is an argument for Esper Mentor, but I like Mardu mentor better personally. That way you get Mentors 5-8 in Young Pyromancer.
March 6, 2016 12:22 a.m.
Sceadugenga says... #5
Don't forget Myth Realized in all the variants. Personally, my vote goes to esper or Mardu. Jeskais biggest draw is lightning helix and ojutais command, which isn't great in a mentor shell when stacked up against terminate, K command, sorin solemn visitor, zealous persecution, counter spells, and perilous research
March 6, 2016 12:45 a.m.
I already have a dedicated tokens deck so I don't want to run things like Bitterblossom, Zealous Persecution, or Sorin, Solemn Visitor (I might reconsider him though, he's a beast).
Black isn't just for Slaughter Pact. In addition to the cards I mentioned above, there's also Kolaghan's Command, Terminate, Inquisition of Kozilek, and Thoughtseize. But yeah, it doesn't have anything like Serum Visions.
I have given esper mentor some thought since I'd be able to run Snapcaster Mage alongside Dark Confidant for some insane card advantage. It's really tempting, don't get me wrong, but it's not the direction I want to take this particular deck in.
I don't think Myth Realized is modern playable, it just takes too many turns to get value out of it. And it seems like a pretty bad topdeck too since it doesn't do anything to stabilize your board. Why do you recommend it?
March 6, 2016 2:48 a.m.
Sceadugenga says... #9
I like Myth Realized because it's the functional equivalent of a manland like Raging Ravine in Mentor that also triggers prowess token production for your Mentors if it's a late game topdeck. Granted, late game it isn't great if you're behind, but it also isn't really "win more" in that it can just as easily just be useful as a cheap token producer. Might just be how I structure and play my mentor decks, but I'm perfectly happy to turn 1 Myth and then play counter/removal for the rest of the game. Feels a little more like a Delver deck in that way.
I should have also clarified that I reccomend Myth Realized knowing that Abrupt Decay currently isn't great removal, just like Bolt. When Eldrazi are banned/nerfed and that settles back down to how it should be, Myth will not be as good.
March 6, 2016 3:36 p.m.
Given the current state of affairs in Modern, I'd go with Mardu. Counters aren't great vs the Eldrazi with Cavern of Souls, whereas Terminate remains a good kill spell. Black also brings more card draw in a reasonable amount of time (unlike Rev).
March 6, 2016 3:41 p.m.
Sceadugenga says... #11
I've been toying with Perilous Research as a mentor draw spell since on cast you make a token which you can sac upon resolution.
March 6, 2016 10:07 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #12
Ya don't need counterspells to protect ya shit when ya got Emerge Unscathed.
But yeah, counterspells don't work too well with the prowess buff, as you want to be swinging with that buff, not blocking. Discard and removal work more consistently with prowess in those regards.
March 7, 2016 5:42 p.m.
Sceadugenga says... #13
re: OP, this is the Jeskai Mentor list I'm going to start testing with.
March 10, 2016 4:50 a.m.
Wow, with the amount of support mardu got, I've finally gotten around to finalizing a decklist. And I did use your jeskai list as inspiration to help me make it down to 60 cards, thanks.
beckhr says... #2
I think Mardu might be the correct choice. It gives some Card Advantage (Bitterblossom, Lingering Souls, Painful Truths, Dark Confidant), Removal, Interaction (Thoughtseize), but what I like most is Sorin, Solemn Visitor. He triggers Mentor and also gives you lifeline and a buff which can be huge in a tokens build.
March 5, 2016 11:22 p.m.