MTGO Block Constructed

RG Terminartifact

2010-11-03T00:25:00.000+01:00

Here we go again!!

The first deck i want to talk about this season is the typical anti-metagame strategy. We are talking about Mirrodin, so artifacts would be the most important thing to take care off. Error. There is no Affinity or similar this time, so we need to find a way to use all of these artifact destroyers: Shatter, Oxidda Scrapmelter, Slice in Twain, Sylvok Replica, etc.

There is a weak card that do that. Liquimetal Coating. Combine it with Viridian Revel and you have the engine of the machine. The finishers are simply the best in that combination of colors: Kuldotha Phoenix in red and Wurmcoil Engine for all colors.

The problem comes when you don't draw the most important card of the deck, Liquimetal Coating. If your opponent is full of artifacts, you could still win, but if don't, you will not be able to win the game.

As we use to do, there is no sideboard, because of the lack of information about the metagame. You can suggest some ideas.

4 Shatter
4 Oxidda Scrapmelter
4 Slice in Twain
4 Wurmcoil Engine
4 Viridian Revel
4 Liquimetal Coating
4 Sylvok Replica
4 Kuldotha Phoenix
4 Arc Trail
10 Mountain
10 Forest
4 Copperline Gorge

Thanks!! I am waiting for your commentaries!!

Scars of Mirrodin

2010-10-27T00:52:00.000+02:00

The new block is here. In the next weeks we will begin to explore the new format.

Two interestling articles

2010-02-26T00:22:00.000+01:00

Before I start to talk about the new Zendikar Block enviroment, i want to recommend some interesting articles form www.puremtgo.com:

http://puremtgo.com/articles/rogue-play-new-kids-block-part-i

http://puremtgo.com/articles/rogue-play-new-kids-block-part-ii

Thank you. I will be here soon, talking about the metagame and much more.

Waiting for Worldwake

2010-02-02T22:00:00.001+01:00

Hi again!

I come back with the emotion of a new block. Hoping more interactions and devastating new archtypes. Because, sincerely, Zendikar Block seems to be very repetitive and predictable. Vampires, vampires, vampires. I like the UW control decks and the Kor-weenie tribal decks. But i was very tired of Zendikar block. In a few weeks we will have a new set that would change the metagame.

See you!!

Decks of the week (December 3#)

2009-12-17T11:13:00.000+01:00

And here is again, the most interesting Zendikar block constructed lists from MTGO the last week:

Zendikar Block Constructed on Magic Online

Decks of the week (December 2#)

2009-12-10T17:06:00.000+01:00

The best section in Magicthegathering.com, the decks of the week, is here. The second week of December has a lot of decks to take care of. So, pay close attention to the different lists:

Decks of the week (December 1#)

2009-12-03T12:05:00.001+01:00

The best section in Magicthegathering.com, the decks of the week, is here. The first week of December has a lot of decks to take care of. So, pay close attention to the different lists:

Zendikar Block Constructed on Magic Online

UW Control

2009-11-29T17:59:00.003+01:00

Wow, what a control deck. This deck has all the control power. UW control, classic style. Counter, Wrath, drawing...

Of course, a lot of drawing power, thanks to tha star of the deck, the Ancestral Recall incorporated Sphinx of Lost Truths.

The deck works in this way: Keep, keep, keep, draw, keep, keep, keep, finisher. A classic UW control deck.

4 Sejiri Refuge

4 Kabira Crossroads

2 Arid Mesa

1 Scalding Tarn

1 Misty Rainforest

10 Island

5 Plains

27 Lands

3 Sphinx of Lost Truths

2 Sphinx of Jwar Isle

5 Creatures

4 Into the Roil

4 Ior Ruin Expedition

4 Journey to Nowhere

4 Cancel

4 Day of Judgment

3 Rite of Replication

2 Summoner's Bane

3 Conqueror's Pledge

28 Other spells

Sideboard:

4 Devout Lightcaster

4 Pitfall Trap

4 Spreading Seas

3 Luminarch Ascension

As you can see, the deck has all the classic elements in a UW control deck. Sincerely, it is the best control deck in block since UB Tendrils in Time Spiral block. The idea is to survive the first turns countering and killin all the opponent's threats. Since the early and fast small creatures, like vampires and Steppe Lynx, until the bigger creatures, Bloodwitch of Malakir and the mirror Sphinx. Keep the Journey to Nowhere for cards like Bloodghast or for moments with Quest for the Gravelord in play. Likewise, keep Day of Judgment for Bloodwitch of Malakir if possible.Remmember these details.

Into the Roil is a good cantrip trick, but if you think in a more aggresive enviroment you could cut them and include Pitfall Trap in the main deck. Journey to Nowhere is simply one of the best removal in standar, so i include four copies. In the two converted mana cost section i doubt betwen the card advantage card Ior Ruin Expedition and the tricky and also cantrip Spreading Seas.I have selected in this list the first one, but if you expect for a metagame full of Valakut or similar, you can pick the second option. Anyway, this card must be in the deck, wether it be main or sideboard.

Cancel is the only counter we have. At least is a "hard counter" and is playable in block, three is not much mana in a slow format. You will keep them only for the greatest threat or the key moment of the game. These four copies of "counterspell" are usually enough for the win. You can include cards like Spell Pierce, but perhaps his place is another format, like Extended. In block is not very usefull. However I decided to include Summoner's Bane because of Bloodwitch of Malakir, a very dangerous creature in a white deck if you don't see Day of Judgment in your hand and other big creatures like the Sphinxes.

The four copies of Day of Judgment are obligatory and not negotiable. Nothing more to say about that. In a format like Block Constructed is a privilege to count on "Wrath of God" spells, obviously is one of the most powerfull card in the set.

Conqueror's Pledge is only a versatile card, a finisher sometimes or a way to survive extra turns, until you draw the "Wrath". On the other hand, Sphinx of Lost Truths is the heart of the deck, the key card. You can block solidly, attack without being blocked, draw 3 cards in advanced game or "brainstorming" in the middle game.

The other Sphinx is another great finisher. It can't be the target of speel or abilities, so it is very difficult to eliminate, and it is a 5/5, so it can block or attack without problems in the blocks, killing enemies easily.

While these creatures are our win condition, Rite of replication could be our slavation in some games. If it was kickered targeting a Bloodwitch of Malakir the game will end at this time, killing the opponent with the ability of the vampire.

In the sideboard the omnipresent Devout Lightcaster, wich is in the main in a lot of versions of this deck, and Luminarch Ascension, a win condition against control, basicly for the mirror match.

Valakut Ramp

2009-11-23T19:51:00.003+01:00

One of the most played decks in the first weeks of Zendikar Block Constructed. Capable of win the match in one turn. A very interesting deck, wich kills the opponent with a land that is beating in other formats in combo or similar decks.

Valakut Ramp is not a combo deck, but can win the game in one turn, accumulating lands during the first turns and bearing the beats of the opponent. Only has a few burn spells to preserve his life, but this is enough to survive until the turn six or seven. More or less, at this moment, we have one ore two Valakut, Harrow in hand and probably Khalni Heart Expedition in play.

We have also another win condition, Rampagging Baloths, wich will be target of multiple spells in orther to kill them, but, perhaps, usually, the same turn it comes to play, we will put more lands in play, creating an horde of beasts, and only a Day of Judgment can stop them.

The deck uses all the fixers/accelerators of the format to seek for Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle, with a number of at least four mountains in play. The famous Harrow has backed to the future to not only fix or accelerate, but to landfall our decks. Expedition Map will find the copy of Valakut we need to win. The mentioned Khalni Heart Expedition is our upgraded Rampant Growth, better in some occasions and worst in others, but a great card in any case.

The deck looks like this:

4 Kazandu Refuge

4 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle

1 Verdant Catacomb

1 Scalding Tarn

5 Forest

11 Mountain

25 Lands

4 Grazing Gladehart

4 Oracle of Mul Daya

4 Rampaging Baloths

12 Creatures

4 Expedition Map

4 Burst Lightning

4 Punishing Fire

4 Khalni Heart Expedition

4 Harrow

3 Lavaball Trap

23 Other Spells

If you remmember the Zvi Mowshowitz extended deck "Turboland", with Exploration and Horn of Greed, Oracle of Mul Daya could be an interesting addition. Obviously, in this deck makes similar tasks, providing more acceleration and some kind of card advantage, to help the Valakut power.

Grazing Gladehart is a deffensive creature, able to win for us a lot of life in a few turns, giving us the time to complete the "combo". Some people preffers to include Plated Geopede to be more aggressive since the beggining of the match. It is ok, it is other point of view for the deck. Is very usually to see cards like Chandra Ablaze in the main list, a good card for the deck too.

The burn pack is the typical, with Burst Lightning and Punishin Fire, but lately some players are including a very powerful card, Lavaball Trap, wich becomes a kind of Wrath of God against aggro, a way to slow down control at end of turn, or an usefull trick in the mirror, destroying mountains, forests or, moreover,Valakuts.

Insane White Weenie

2009-11-22T12:39:00.008+01:00

This deck is based in the creation of Rob Dougherty for the Worlds 2009. In this video we can watch what i am talking about:

There is a moment in wich Randy Bueheler says: "16 lands, this is insane" It could be more cool if Randy says: "This is madness. This is Sparta!", but... perhaps in another context. I took the idea from this deck and thought, is possible to create something similar for Zendikar block? Theres a lot of great white creatures in Zendikar. Losing first turn drops, but keeping a great list. This is the reason why "Insane WW" ups the number of lands to 18. In any case, this is too low for block constructed formats.

The list i am playing is:

4 Marsh Flats
4 Arid Mesa
8 Plains

18 Lands

4 Steppe Lynx
4 Armament Master
4 Kazandu Blademaster
4 Kor Aeronaut
4 Kor Skyfisher
2 Kor Outfitter
4 Kor Hookmaster

26 Creatures

4 Blazing Torch
4 Trusty Machete
4 Brave the Elements
4 Journey to Nowhere

16 Other Spells

The first decission i made was to include Blazing Torch over Adventuring Gear. But it is not the final list, i am testing the two equipments. The lack of lands in this deck was the key for this. Steppe Lynx suffers this problem too, but is a great creature and there is no other better choices in block. However Blazing Torch is a good card, wich can eliminate some blockers or finish the game. More over, mades our creatures imblockable against vampires, a deck played by hundreds of players in MTGO.

The deck is fast and easy to play. And the best creature in the deck is Armament Master, which will be equipped all times to made bigger our creatures. Kazandu Blademaster is the next best creature. First strike and vigilance, a great way to beat and block at the same time, good against vampires and awesome against cards like Elemental Appeal. Kor Aeronaut is a good creature, giving some flying capacities to the deck. Kor Skyfisher also gives some flying to the deck, and is fuel for Steppe Lynx. Its three toughness is pretty useful to block a lot of creatures and survive to most of burn spells and Disfigure.

Kor Outfitter is only more Kor stuff in the deck, but can help to equip Trusty Machete, giving some tempo in the first turns.

To conclude with the creatures, Kor Hookmaster is, as Rob Dougherty says, the finisher. Is unbelievable that a "limited creature" can enter the deck with this strenght. To kill a creature for two turns is like kill it forever, because the match will not go over the fifth or sixth turn.

Brave the Elements is our deffensive card. Very usefull to protect our creatures of burn spells and other stuff of target effects. Moreover, to win the game, giving protection to the color of the blockers.

A great, cheap, easy deck to play in Zendikar Block Constructed.

Vampires

2009-11-18T23:57:00.002+01:00

Also Vampires. Without Vampire Nocturnus, but still alive. One of the best standard decks finds in Zendikar its place.

Most of the premier and daily events are full of the creatures of the night. More or less, all versions we can see in the fields are very similar. Specifically, the list bellow is the deck i am playing right now. I don't like to play the deck that all people is playing, but i recognize that this deck is the authentic deck to beat at this moment.

24 Swamp

24 Lands

4 Vampire Lacerator
4 Bloodghast
4 Vampire Hexmage
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Malakir Bloodwitch

24 Creatures

4 Disfigure
4 Quest of the Gravelord
4 Feast of Blood

12 Other Spells

Vampires is not a fast deck. But is a consistent choice. His strong is the quality of its creatures. Bloodghast will beat over and over again tireless against control strategies. Vampire hexmage has become one of the greatest stars of the set, creating his own strategies in all formats. Furthermore, is a good planeswalker killer, also can prevent the action form cards like Luminarch Ascension. Gatekeeper of Malakir will exterminate the most difficult creatures to kill, like Sphinx of Jwar Isle or simply the latest threat played by the opponent. Because between Disfigure and Feast of Blood the other side of the table will be controled. This second card, is too a great help against burn decks.

I prefer Quest of the Gravelord above Bloodchief Ascension because of Day of Judgment, more and more played each week.

Vampire Nighthawk is really, really good by itself, so don't need to explain the four copies.

Last, Malakir Bloodwitch. The big one. Now i think that in Zendikar block, the most important thing analyzing this creature is its white protection. Only a few cards can kill it. Moreover, its drain life and flying abilities are good enough to play this Vampire.

Red Deck Wins

2009-11-16T10:21:00.003+01:00

Is possible to win in the fourth turn in Zendikar blok constructed? Yes, it is. A few weeks since the release of Zendikar in MTGO, we can find a lot of archtypes, a great variety of decks with a great variety of versions. Obviously, the first weeks of a format in MTGO would be strange and mad. But, sincerely, Zendikar level of cards is lower than Alara. No Charms, no Ultimatums, no great abilities... is a very simple collection.

In this first article in "Block Constructed" i have decided to talk about one of the most famous and typical decks in Magic History: Red Deck Wins (RDW).

I think this is not the best deck in the format, because it has no card advantage, no win conditions, no stability... but it is a great deck, able to win in turn four. The deck looks like this in MTGO:

4 Scalding Tarn
4 Arid Mesa
4 Teetering Peaks
13 Mountain

25 Lands

4 Goblin Guide
3 Goblin Bushwhacker
4 Plated Geopede
4 Goblin Ruinblaster

15 Creatures

4 Burst Lightning
4 Punishing Fire
4 Zektar Shrine Expedition
4 Elemental Appeal
4 Spire Barrage

20 Other spells

Starting the match with Gobling Guide is a good way to win. The cards drew by the opponent will be unable to stop our deck, because the fast creatures and Elementals we have will attack very fast since the beggining of the game, and the opponent will have a lot of cards in hand, but without mana to play them.

Burst Lightning and Punishing Fire would be insuficient fire for a RDW. Spire Barrage helps in this way, but this cards is very expensive and slow in many situations. This is one of the problems of the deck. Other problem of the deck is that depends extremely of the lands. Plated Geopede and Zektar Shrine Expedition needs a lot of lands to work propperly. Goblin Ruinblaster is a great creature, like Avalanch Raiders, but in this block sometimes you will not find legal target for its ability, but is very usefull against lands like Valakut and Emeria. But actually it is a weak creature in the combat.

I have played this deck a lot, but i think that it needs some kind of improvement to be the deck to beat. Perhaps in the next set this happens, but we will need to wait some months to see that.

By this time, i will not play this deck again. I am looking for a combination with white or perhaps with green.