Some Thoughts on Jeskai Tempo
Standard forum
Posted on Nov. 17, 2014, 1:21 p.m. by CanadianShinobi
Recently I've been dabbling with Jeskai Tempo after my recent disaster of trying my hand at Mardu Midrange. One of the reasons I enjoy MTGO is because it allows for flexibility when I can afford it. Now, aside from Seeker of the Way both decks have one other thing in common, that other thing being Goblin Rabblemaster.
But should Jeskai run Goblin Rabblemaster?
It isn't that the card isn't any good, but consider the meta and all the Abzan decks floating around. I'll admit I'm currently running a playset in my list, but after being thoroughly stomped by several Abzan decks game 1 I always take Goblin Rabblemaster out. Always, without exception. And that got me thinking. Why am I running a creature that does zero work in so many matches?
Now, I'll be the first to admit that Standard is not my strength, but I've strongly considered placing three Brimaz, King of Oreskos and perhaps a single Banishing Light in my current list instead of Goblin Rabblemaster. Part of my reasoning is that Brimaz offers more pressure and against match ups like Mardu or a mirror Jeskai he can avoid some of the burn that is often used to deal with Rabblemaster. Overall, he establishes an equal amount of pressure, if not more so, and demands to be answered, which could potentially mean drawing resources that might otherwise be useful to your opponent later on.
However, these are merely my thoughts on the current meta and the place of Jeskai Tempo within the meta, hopefully community discussion will provide further insights.
I agree. I've cut my rabblemasters and have been considering alternatives..I've found that there's too many ways for my opponent to deal with him. Brimaz on the other hand seems like a good alternative.
November 17, 2014 2:25 p.m.
I think Jeskai is ok without the Rabblemaste. People will disagree though. I'm working on a build with the only creatures being Mantis Rider , Seeker of the Way and Monastery Swiftspear. Feels so far like that's been enough
November 17, 2014 3:09 p.m.
I was actually considering looking into Battlefield Thaumaturge as a replacement for Goblin Rabblemaster...
With just him on the Battlefield, Stoke the Flames becomes 2CMC (plus tap him)...
Arc Lightning replaces Magma Jet, as it becomes a Lightning Strike or possibly a 3 damage spell for 
...
Lightning Strike becomes Lightning Bolt...No effect on Jeskai Charm, but it's already versatile enough...
I would then have Icy Blast in sideboard.... possibly main.... as it's 
to tap all of my opponent's creatures (and if I have Stormbreath Dragon out, or a Seeker of the Way with another spell already cast, they don't untap)
November 17, 2014 3:28 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #6
@ Rayenous I'm not too sure about Battlefield Thaumaturge in Jeskai Tempo, maybe in U/W Heroic?
November 17, 2014 9:11 p.m.
@Rayenous Goblin Rabblemaster isn't that well positioned right now with the amount of 2CMC answers for him board clogging ground creatures. There's merit to the idea of dropping him, but he's still a must answer threat. That's what this deck wants to do, overwhelm the opponent with threats and back it up with late game burn.
Battlefield Thaumaturge doesn't do anything to further that plan. He synergizes well with Arc Lightning, but the scenario where he's good seems so narrow.
November 17, 2014 9:46 p.m.
Necrotesque says... #8
I have been toying with Jeskai and finally opted to go in the sky. My creature base is 3 Hushwing Gryff, 4 Mantis Rider, 2 Ashcloud Phoenix and 3 Seeker of the Way. The opponent usually cant block optimaly if at all! This allows to fly over all the green walls in the format and the mainboard gryffs is a great bonus againts Abzan.
November 17, 2014 10:07 p.m.
Gorgosaurusrex says... #10
I love running Goblin Rabblemaster but I do find myself siding it out against Abzan Midrange and Temur Monsters - both of which are very popular in my area. Rabblemaster is just so good against any other type of deck.
My creature base looks like: 4x Goblin Rabblemaster, 4x Mantis Rider, 3x Seeker of the Way, 2x Stormbreath Dragon, and 1x Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker. I really want to work some Hushwing Gryff into the mainboard but I already run 4x Disdainful Stroke main for Abzan and Temur hate.
Nigeltastic says... #2
A lot of Jeskai lists seem to shy away from rabblemaster post board, and I don't get it. Maybe it's just because I haven't played either side of the matchup, but having a must answer threat on turn 3 that takes over the game unchecked seems good.
November 17, 2014 1:27 p.m.