What is Competitive in Modern?
Modern forum
Posted on July 16, 2013, 4:18 p.m. by capriom85
I have a few cards that I can build a shell out of for Modern right now. I want to get into this format, but I am not sure what is a good build to focus on. I am hoping to make something semi-competitive for Esper. What I have in mind for it so far is Liliana of the Veil , Snapcaster Mage , Geist of Saint Traft , Path to Exile , Swords to Plowshares , and Vendilion Clique . Of course I'll be using something like Mana Leak and Vapor Snag . What else would fit into this shell? Or, is there a better option for what I have?
Skim through this, mtgtop 8 modern
UW Control and Gift control decks specifically.
July 16, 2013 4:26 p.m.
gufymike, my bad; Swords is way too far back. Geist is hard to deal with, so I figured he would be a decent beat stick while I control the board. What would suggest instead? Is Spell Snare really that relevant?! I had no idea. Also, man lands?
July 16, 2013 4:27 p.m.
Most of the broken cards and counters cost 2, so it's pretty valuable despite being a narrow card.
July 16, 2013 4:31 p.m.
Consider the two drops in modern, tarm, bob, snap, Lightning Helix , melira, voice, Pyroclasm , just to name a few off the top of my head. yes, Spell Snare is, Scavenging Ooze and Young Pyromancer about to make their debuts in modern only up the ante.
man lands are lands that turn into creatures like Mutavault , Creeping Tar Pit , Celestial Colonnade
July 16, 2013 4:31 p.m.
Actually, Geist of Saint Traft is very good.
The thing about geist is he will win you games, but only if you can clear the way for him, and esper can't do that as well as u/w/r and the like can.
You'll also need a way of dealing with Liliana of the Veil , because she is very adept at dealing with geist (since geist control decks tend to be creature light).
So far you have the makings of a pretty good control deck. I think gifts would be a good choice for you as well. But if you went that route, you wouldn't want to run many geists at all.
July 16, 2013 4:35 p.m.
I second the manlands strongly. Celestial Colonnade is fantastic in control decks. Since you're esper, Creeping Tar Pit would also be great.
July 16, 2013 4:37 p.m.
ok, I'll look into picking up a few man lands at FNM this weekend. I'll look into the UWR control also, considering clearing the board to swing with Geist seems like my best option. I wish Counterspell was Modern legal. I can not afford to get anymore Cryptic Command s.
July 16, 2013 4:48 p.m.
If you want to try out an new twist on an old deck try out Its Time For Trouble... its powerful and is cheaper than most decks in modern
July 16, 2013 5:01 p.m.
zzzzsman, thanks for the suggestion. I am looking to use what I have already as a shell, though. I'm not so much on a budget as much as just want to make what I have work. Looking for what fits what I have. It looks like most likely UWR control, unless the Esper idea gets broken in the next few weeks.
July 16, 2013 5:08 p.m.
I am also interested in modern Bant...but I have NO access to Tarmogoyf ....yet
July 16, 2013 5:15 p.m.
Take a look at aura hexproof, no tarm req. (but not like bant aura's this is g/w for the most part).
July 16, 2013 5:29 p.m.
I'm fairly familiar with the hexproof builds. I'll tinker with some stuff
July 16, 2013 7:45 p.m.
Knights are my personal favorite, UWB Gifts seems pretty fun to play also.
gufymike says... #2
Swords to Plowshares is not modern legal, Path to Exile is. As for this shell, geist is not that great, more Cryptic Command and Spell Snare . man lands go a long way also.
July 16, 2013 4:21 p.m.