Need help Against Rally

Standard Deck Help forum

Posted on Jan. 31, 2016, 6:37 p.m. by buildingadeck

Hey, guys.

I went to an SCG IQ this past weekend with my 5 Color BTL build and went 2-3. Not terrible, but it wasn't exactly the finish I was looking for.

One deck I struggled to beat (so close!) was 4 Color Rally. I want to swap my sideboard around to remain good against the control decks in the format (Esper and Dark Jeskai) while also remaining strong against aggro. Flaying Tendrils is a card I ended up not even bringing in because most of the cards are 2/3s now.

Here is a link to my deck list. The updates made to the deck since the event are in the Update.

Thanks!

TheFanatic says... #2

If graveyard hate is what you're looking for, Anafenza, the Foremost is your friend.

January 31, 2016 7:28 p.m.

VampireArmy says... #3

They just bounce anafenza and continue comboing ususlly.

My suggestion wouldn't be adding cards to lock them down more than general advice. Prioritize your removal on stuff like Nantuko Husk above all else. Even if it means allowing some stuff to come down. You can sweep those away anyways

January 31, 2016 8:52 p.m.

buildingadeck says... #4

VampireArmy and TheFanatic: So the game plan should be Infinite Obliteration naming Nantuko Husk as quickly as possible?

The SB Plan I used was this:

-2 Grasp of Darkness, -1 Utter End, -1 Bring to Light, -1 Silumgar's Command, -1 Languish

+2 Dispel, +1 Silkwrap, +2 Radiant Flames, +1 Duress

Thoughts?

January 31, 2016 10:04 p.m.

Argy says... #5

I think Kozilek's Return might be better against Allies than Radiant Flames, if you can afford it.

I'd like to see more Languish in here. I play Allies and I HAAATE that card.

January 31, 2016 10:24 p.m.

ComputerizedMTG says... #6

If you need help against Rally decks Hallowed Moonlight is a really good tool.

January 31, 2016 10:34 p.m.

buildingadeck says... #7

The_Riddlebox: Dispel is useful against a wider number of decks and performs basically the same function without the draw mechanic. I suppose it doesn't exile the graveyard.

Argeaux: I can't afford Kozilek's Return atm, and the problem I see with it is that it doesn't kill Reflector Mage, who is a pain in my butt. As for Languish, I'm effectively running 4 copies of it (1 Languish, 3 BTL) in the deck, plus the possibility of Den Protector grabbing one.

The problem is that my Dark Jeskai and Ramp matchups are so bad that I don't want to overcommit my board to Rally. Hmm.

Perhaps replace the Flaying Tendrils in the sideboard with a Hallowed Moonlight? Weakens my aggro matchup slightly, but since they run tokens, it can be equally good. I could also go with Anafenza, the Foremost, but like VampireArmy said, they'll just bounce it (happened to my Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet).

February 1, 2016 12:20 a.m.

ComputerizedMTG says... #8

While Dispel does indeed work, and you should have it in the SB, what's good about HM is that they dont get a second chance. With dispel, if they run Jace they can just recast it, or they can just wait for the next copy to come by. While if you hit them with HM they will have an empty GY next time they try.

That's the logic behind it: permanently getting rid of their creatures. I will be honest and say I never tried iy. Since i started sideboarding HM i have yet to go against a Rally deck.

February 1, 2016 6:21 a.m.

buildingadeck says... #9

The_Riddlebox: That is correct. I think I need 2 to make it effective. Should I remove Duress and Flaying Tendrils for the two copies of Hallowed Moonlight, or is there something else I could swap that would be better?

February 1, 2016 8:54 a.m.

ComputerizedMTG says... #10

Not sure how effective Flaying Tendrils really is, so I can't judge. As far as Duress goes, I think it's an all star against control especially. Although you are running a copy of each.

How good is Overwhelming Denial for you? Packing 5 counter spells in the SB seems excessive to me, so maybe remove those? OD seems like a winner when you are trying to resolve a spell and you pop it in response to another counter, but for that I think Negate does the same job with a less intensive mana cost; however, if it works for you, then your initial though might be the best option.

February 1, 2016 9:15 a.m.

buildingadeck says... #11

Overwhelming Denial has been great for me against Esper and Dark Jeskai, but I could see myself potentially swapping one and the Tendrils out for 2 Hallowed Moonlight.

February 1, 2016 9:33 a.m.