Monastery Guide vs. Goblin Guide
Modern forum
Posted on Nov. 27, 2014, 2 p.m. by ChrisH
In my current burn build, I'm running both. However, if I were to choose one of them, which would it be?
Monastery Swiftspear won't be two damage on turn one (I play no cantrips) but after turn one I feel like it is better.
Goblin Guide is guaranteed two damage but I feel like it gives them an advantage and it can't be pumped to three or four attack.
Also, why is Goblin Guide so expensive?
You'd be like a trillion times better off swapping dark confidant for treasure cruise in a burn build.
November 27, 2014 2:15 p.m.
Dark confidant is too pricy in terms of cmc, and too slow in terms of the time it takes to give you cards.
But to answer the question - guide is generally better. Swiftspear wants you to play all your spells at sorcery speed in your turn to buff her up, guide doesn't care and allows you to play all your spells in the opponents end step - this is super useful.
November 27, 2014 2:16 p.m.
WovenNebula says... #5
I agree that Dark Confidant shouldn't be in the deck and Cruise is the better way to go, however, my personal opinion would be Swiftspear over the Guide. Albeit you would have to play your deck with more thought, determining when to play spells for a better outcome. Guide would not require that burden as much and is what is, at all times on its own. Depends mainly on your play style and overall finished product of the deck.
November 27, 2014 3:15 p.m.
scapertist says... #6
Monastery Swiftspear has to be better. Even though you have to play your spells at sorcery speed, you have the upside of making her hit for 3 on second turn and beyond. If you're playing burn that's what you aim for. Each life point you can take away earlier is the difference. Besides, card advantage is everything and Magic and just one land you give to your oponnent from Goblin Guide can swing the table against you.
November 27, 2014 3:32 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #7
@scapertist My opinion is that since you are running Dark Confidant, you have a different turn two play than 2 burn spells --> attack for 3. This is why I prefer Goblin Guide, as it works better with your ideal curve.
November 27, 2014 3:34 p.m.
scapertist says... #8
I'm thinking on a pure burn deck because I don't see any list referenced. In some other builds the reasoning can be different. I wouldn't run anything different from Eidolon of the Great Revel as the 2 turn drop on a burn deck. Black was the splash some months ago but today (In modern) the splash to go is white because of Boros Charm as the most efficient 2 mana burn spell and Wear as the answer to Leyline of Sanctity
November 27, 2014 3:44 p.m.
scapertist, WovenNebula - the problem is that most, if not all decks are running Dragon's Claw in the sideboard or something like Kitchen Finks or something like Rampaging Baloths. Against these decks it is ESSENTIAL that you have Skullcrack mana open etc. This is essentially why you really want to be casting at instant speed. I mean obviously you can't do anything against the claw, but the green creatures are easy to counter
November 27, 2014 3:44 p.m.
scapertist burn decks are splashing blue for TCruise
November 27, 2014 3:45 p.m.
scapertist says... #11
Everybody is splashing blue for Treasure Cruise. Dragon's Claw can also be answered with Tear
November 27, 2014 3:49 p.m.
When I said Rampaging Baloths I was stupid and meant Obstinate Baloth
November 27, 2014 6:13 p.m.
Goblin Guide is worth something because, well, supply and demand. It was only printed in one set and has forever been a 4 of in one of moderns most popular archetypes. Hell, if Zendikar wasn't such a popular set and there was no promo made for Goblin Guide, it could be twice as valuable today.
November 27, 2014 7:32 p.m.
In regards to power level, it all depends on the build. In a spell heavy burn deck, Swiftspear is better, whereas in a creature heavy burn deck, Goblin Guide is better.
November 27, 2014 7:33 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #16
Go with Guide. Swiftspear is made for Tempo, not Red Deck Wins/Burn. I should know, I'm president of the club yo. ;-)
November 27, 2014 8:18 p.m.
Alright. This is my deck below; I'm going to the LGS for my second time (last time was just to check it out, I was in the area that time and couldn't actually play). I'm going to get a lot of trading/buying to finish up my deck tomorrow. What do you think of this list? It is playing Swiftspear over Guide.
Grixis Heat Playtest
Modern
SCORE: 0 | 1 COMMENTS | 63 VIEWSNovember 27, 2014 8:46 p.m.
Justin_Bop says... #18
Goblin Guide is better in most situations. He is a 2/2 for 1 mana with HASTE, so on turn one your opponent can be down 2 life right of the bat. His "weakness" with your opponent drawing lands isn't always a weakness. After all you get to know what cards your opponent has drawn as long as Goblin Guide is on the field. Only use Monastery Swiftspear if most of the deck is 1 mana burn spells. Check out my mono-red aggro deck if you want to see how Goblin Guide fits in. Nice deck by the way, hope this advice helps!!
GlistenerAgent says... #2
Goblin Guide is a 1 mana 2/2 haste creature. It's good --> it's expensive.
Since you want to run Dark Confidant, I'd go with Goblin Guide just because your turn 2 play won't be burn spells to pump the Swiftspear.
November 27, 2014 2:12 p.m.