Need Help to Learn to Love Modern Again
Modern forum
Posted on May 31, 2015, 1:36 a.m. by Kasres
I left standard shortly after RtR left, as the metagame was stale and had literally nothing I enjoyed playing, as reactive control (which could be a viable budget option (college kid after all)) was practically stripped from the game.
So I left to play modern with my friends at lgs in competitive and semi-competitive situations, and I found some budget brews I could make work, but nothing really felt fun after (at the longest) a few months. With modern's recent stagnation in new decks (especially control), I'm only seeing aggro and combo, which saddens me, but for my proper deck my tokens are doing me well enough.
Recently, however, I discovered a lgs near me is running unsanctioned 30-proxy modern tourneys weekly, and I love that I can finally play modern with the big boys, but nothing I look into seems like it will do anything but die against an unknown meta, and the few decks I know will win just seem so freakin' boring (mostly aggro).
Does anyone know a deck that can fit the criteria of:
1) Be control, midrange, or tempo with a control feel
2) Be competitive (I can build Jeskai control, Grixis control, and RuG Delver all day, doesn't mean it'll be good)
3) (Optional) Be able to loose cards to be translated to a more budget version while still maintaining points one and two.
I know I'm being picky, but the only budget lists I'm seeing are Greater Balance, Living End, and Aggro. I'm not a combo guy (unless it's 100% jank. I love those :P), and aggro is boring (I need to think while playing, or I zone out and make misplays and just don't have as much fun).
Thanks if you have any suggestions, and again: sorry about the picky criteria~!
ChiefBell has a very fun looking aggro/control deck, and it's relatively inexpensive for modern. Seems to fulfill your criteria as it's control and tempo ish.
$160 Modern Azorius Fliers Playtest
Modern
SCORE: 16 | 9 COMMENTS | 445 VIEWSMay 31, 2015 2:26 a.m.
Grixis Delver can certainly beat almost any other deck if piloted well. It isn't bothered by combos unless they just get to many of their 10-13 creatures early. It can delay burn's initial onslaugh quite well. It can still at least fly @ hatebears game 1 and because they use the cheapest spells something like Gaddock Teeg and Thalia, Guardian of Thraben just don't even matter.
Aside from that deck I've played the more controlling version of loam which is quite good. You could also try this older aggro version: http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=2525&d=216408&f=MO
That version uses Countryside Crusher. have some Jank with your "Proven" deck list.
May 31, 2015 2:26 a.m.
HijackAttack says... #5
Grixis Delver is probably the best deck against an unknown field. It can even be pretty budget for a modern deck - the land base is usually the expensive part.
May 31, 2015 3:29 a.m.
slovakattack says... #6
Have you heard of Modern Swans? This guy's been wrecking the standings in MTGO's daily with it. It's goal is to drop a Swan and then Skred or bolt or otherwise damage it for massive card advantage that throttles out a game. The current decklist is here.
May 31, 2015 3:38 a.m.
That deck is really bad. I played against a version the other day. It turns all your lightning bolts into Ancestral Recall. Any time you swing with goyf they either take 5 or you draw 5 cards. Swans would be great if the opponent didn't also get to capitalise on the advantage but seeing as they do its super risky. Playing swans gives 50% of opponents you play a card that's in the power 9.
May 31, 2015 5:15 a.m.
Yo I watched a video of modern swans and it was pretty dope. Check it out OP.
(It was CalebD from channel fireball.)
May 31, 2015 5:15 a.m.
The best option is Grixis Delver which is a tempo deck that's approaching tier 1.
May 31, 2015 5:21 a.m.
DeletedNow4ever says... #11
I second Grixis Delver. Seems like it has everything you want.
May 31, 2015 8:15 a.m.
Wow. Thanks for all the thoughtful advice so quickly! I can give Grixis delver another look. I tried an Esper delver list and while the event didn't fire, the few games I did play were just bad. Might have been because it was a poorly brewed deck of mine trying to force too many of my favorite cards :P
May 31, 2015 8:16 a.m.
For said Grixis delver, would you say Tasigur, the Golden Fang is required? I'm personally not a fan of the card for a few small reasons, and was wondering if it's his activation or his p/t:cost that's the bigger selling point. If it's the latter wouldn't Gurmag Angler work in his place?
May 31, 2015 9:18 a.m.
I was gonna say Grixis Delver for sure, but it seems that everyone else has already suggested this. That's what I would play in your situation!
May 31, 2015 9:49 a.m.
OtakulordAndrew says... #15
@Kasres Tasigur, the Golden Fang is not required but is strictly better than Gurmag Angler and makes the deck run smoother as a strong creature with a potent ability to get more resources. As another deck you might like I would possibly suggest taking a look at esper mill as it can run control elements such as Path to Exile, Surgical Extraction, Extirpate, as well as hand disruption in the sideboard or mainboard depending on the preference of play style and a few lists even run Remand for greater tempo. The main cards of the deck are Archive Trap, Breaking, Glimpse the Unthinkable, and Hedron Crab, the deck also has Visions of Beyond, and Thought Scour for draw.
May 31, 2015 10:13 a.m.
@OtakulordAndrew I find mill to be funny, and would give it more thought if Emrakul, the Aeons Torn wasn't so rampant in my local meta. I know there are things I could do to get around him, but it just feels tier 3 to me. No offense meant by that statement (sorry if it comes across rude)
May 31, 2015 10:36 a.m.
OtakulordAndrew says... #17
no offense taken if emrakul is popular in your meta then you definitely want to stay away from mill.
Kasres says... #2
Further brownie points if you can find a deck that can use off-the-wall cards viably, especially pet cards of mine like Duskmantle Seer or Vraska the Unseen :P
May 31, 2015 1:39 a.m.