Tricolor transformers Possibilities
Standard forum
Posted on June 7, 2015, 4:06 p.m. by JANKYARD_DOG
I see the different tri color combinations and how some are only one color off and can't help to think that it would be a neat trick to be able to sideboard into a completely different deck by changing from say Temur -> Jund. I am wondering if anyone has actually successfully pulled this off. If so, or if you have an idea of how to go about doing so please comment below.
I realize the landbase would likely be the most difficult to manage without giving it away right off. Likely use Mana Confluence's, Sylvan Caryatid's, Fetches maybe, Stuff that doesn't scream 'Hey! I plan on switching out after this'. Siding in lands would take away from the rest of the strategy I think, so this would be imperative so all 15 cards can alter the aspect/strategy of the deck.
Colors/Transform options vary, so very interested to see everyone's ideas on this subject, more than just a 'Cannot be done', because anything is possible.
UpperDeckerTaco says... #3
Can it be done = yes.
Is this a good idea = more than likely not.
Would it be viable = most likely not.
June 7, 2015 4:19 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #4
I mean, it could be done, but TheDevicer outlines the problem well: what difference would it make?
June 7, 2015 4:26 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #5
Do not limit to the Temur -> Jund idea, that was just the first example that came to mind. There's got to be something, just something different to throw off your opponent in Game 2/3. I realize the landbase would likely be alot of expensive lands, but I think it would be fun and interesting to do if someone could pull it off. Likely better in different formats with more cards to choose from, but I suppose that's what makes it more challenging. Gotta love a good challenge :)
The difference is the colors and what they have to offer. After G1 you usually side to combat what your facing so doing this would effectively sabotage their efforts to stop you.
June 7, 2015 4:30 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #6
But wouldn't it just be more effective to side in hate against them...? This kind of thing could work pretty well in modern, but in Standard, it's just really not worth it.
June 7, 2015 4:32 p.m. Edited.
Most transformative boards are on color. Think something like a delver deck siding into gifts.
June 7, 2015 4:32 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #8
Am I on my own in this? Is there not someone that will entertain a different idea and try to go with it? I think they way you would have to work it would be to have the switching color have one type of removal/protection that is effective in most situations, then when they side in their anti cards, you side in a different color to throw a wrench in their plans by having say White exile rather than Black destroy, or Blue counters instead of Red burn. Something to give them pause and say "ok? what happened there?" I'm not sure it could be done with a creature base as creatures usually range in colors, but removal/counters/burn etc all seem to bunch into one color most of the time.
It is in no way easy, but I believe it can be done.
June 7, 2015 4:43 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #9
I'm simply telling you that it can work, but that it won't be very effective. You're not "on your own", it's just that the idea doesn't work as well as you would like it to.
June 7, 2015 4:46 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #10
So, your saying it wouldn't top 8 or anything but it might make #1 FNM? Has anyone tried and maybe posted anything on the subject?. Haven't found any on here unfortunately.
June 7, 2015 4:49 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #11
It's definitely hard to a change from 3 colors to a different 3 colors, but one of my friends is working on a brew where you drop a color after boarding (Grixis cruel control -> UR Twin). I think this would have lots of potential to work well, especially if you are not prepared.
June 7, 2015 5:22 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #12
ABadMagicPlayer100 Wouldn't the opposite be better? They side in all their killspells and Torpor Orb after you showed them Twin game one, and you respond by full control and giving them dead draws.
June 7, 2015 5:25 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #13
No, this way you get to play fun mind games. They board to fight control, and then they tap out and you win on turn 4. Then they have to figure out if you're playing twin or control and board and play suboptimally to beat both decks if there's a game 3.
June 7, 2015 5:28 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #14
Plus you don't give anything away with your land base and you don't have to board out any lands (i.e. Blood Crypt can still generate 
and represents the presence of black in your deck).
June 7, 2015 5:36 p.m.
vampirelazarus says... #15
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/rc/art-transforming-2014-10-21
http://www.gatheringmagic.com/darwinkastle-022712-the-science-of-sideboarding/
Lots of reading.
June 7, 2015 7:33 p.m.
vampirelazarus says... #16
by the way, the term for this (you got it pretty close) is "transformative sideboard"
June 7, 2015 7:34 p.m.
Color transformation is unviable but changing archetypes is viable. Like going from control to combo like ABadMagicPlayer100 mentionned, or being pure control and siding in 10+ creatures. The problem with those strategies is that if they get tier 2 or 1 they die from popularity. The latest example of this is Gerard Fabiano's Sultai Control in standard Fate Reforged (he sided in around 8 creatures game 2). The deck became famous and the sideboard stopped working.
June 7, 2015 7:52 p.m.
Also it's good to note that opponents have access to your decklist in top 8s.
June 7, 2015 7:55 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #19
From the links I gleaned some good information in general though they refer to modern mostly. So converting what I learned to standard, I would have to find 2 tricolor combinations that share a similar combo, then Side it (11+ cards) to a complete flip, whether it be 10+ creatures in what was control, or making it nearly creature-less. Something to throw the proverbial wrench in their engine g2/3 depending on the outcome of g1. I am currently trying to explore standard options, but looking through a bunch of standard legal cards is a bit time consuming so it may be awhile before anything is set in stone so to say.
Just to clarify, I'm not looking to top 8 or anything, just looking for something fun and different to play that just might win me a #1 FNM spot.
June 7, 2015 8:27 p.m.
I'd suggest a r/w/u or r/w/b tokens strategy that switches over to burn after game one. Most decks will side in their removal like drown in sorrow. Switching to burn should give them dead cards in hand.
Arvail says... #2
The implicit cost of downgrading your land base for the sake of a transformative sideboard is rarely, if ever, worth it. What's so good about Red that you want to take your deck in that direction? What keeps you from just playing Jund in the first place? Is Blue just that good for you? In that case, wouldn't it be better to just stick with Temur?
June 7, 2015 4:18 p.m.