Hello readers and welcome to another edition of Forcing the Will. I won’t be covering a deck today, but rest assured I am working on it; you will have some videos to watch in my next article! This week we will cover the Legacy metagame as well as what Scars of Mirrodin has to offer the Eternal formats. If that wasn’t enough, we have some new goodies that may be appearing in the online store, but let’s look at the current meta first.
Legacy Metagame
- (4-0) Merfolk
- (3-1) UBG Landstill
- (3-1) Ub Merfolk
- (3-1) Show and Tell/Doomsday
- (3-1) Imperial Painter
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Belcher
- (4-0) Vengevine Survival
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Rbg Goblins
- (3-1) Show and Tell/Sneak Attack
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Countertop
- (4-0) Countertop
- (3-1) Vengevine Survival
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Countertop/Thopter
- (3-1) Enchantress
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Uw Merfolk
- (4-0) Goblins
- (3-1) Merfolk
- (3-1) UBG Landstill
- (3-1) Countertop/Thopter
- (3-1) Red Deck Wins (RDW)
- (4-0) Vengevine Survival
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Rb Goblins
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Elves
- (3-1) Belcher
- (4-0) Ad Nauseam Tendrils (ANT)
- (3-1) Red Deck Wins (RDW)
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Vengevine Survival
- (3-1) Belcher
- (4-0) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Merfolk
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Merfolk
- (3-1) Bant
- (4-0) UBGW Landstill
- (3-1) Aluren
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Dredge
- (3-1) Hive Mind
- (3-1) Doomsday Storm
- (3-1) Show and Tell/Hypergenesis
- (4-0) Zoo
- (3-1) Rb Goblins
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Merfolk
- (3-1) BGU Control
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (4-0) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Show and Tell/Stiflenought
- (3-1) Countertop
- (3-1) High Tide
- (3-1) Zoo
- (4-0) Zoo
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) Zoo
- (3-1) Elves
- (3-1) Death and Taxes (DnT)
- (3-1) GWR Survival
- (3-1) Vengevine Survival
|
DECK |
WINS |
PERCENTAGE OF WIN |
|
1. Death and Taxes (DnT) |
12 |
17.91% |
|
2. Zoo |
10 |
14.93% |
|
3. Merfolk |
7 |
10.45% |
|
4. Vengevine Survival |
5 |
7.46% |
|
5. Goblins |
4 |
5.97% |
|
6. Show and Tell |
4 |
5.97% |
|
7. Belcher |
3 |
4.48% |
|
8. Countertop |
3 |
4.48% |
|
9. Landstill |
3 |
4.48% |
|
10.Countertop/Thopter |
2 |
2.99% |
|
11. Red Deck Wins (RDW) |
2 |
2.99% |
|
12. Aluren |
1 |
1.49% |
|
13. Ad Nauseam Tendrils (ANT) |
1 |
1.49% |
|
14. Bant |
1 |
1.49% |
|
15. BGU Control |
1 |
1.49% |
|
16. Doomsday Storm |
1 |
1.49% |
|
17. Dredge |
1 |
1.49% |
|
18. Elves |
1 |
1.49% |
|
19. Enchantress |
1 |
1.49% |
|
20. High Tide |
1 |
1.49% |
|
21. Hive Mind |
1 |
1.49% |
|
22. Imperial Painter |
1 |
1.49% |
|
23. Survival |
1 |
1.49% |
|
TOTAL: |
67 |
|
Once again, it appears that aggro is all over the place in the current meta, but there are also quite a bit of combo decks as well. In these aggressive meta, Control decks seem to be. If you are planning on competing in Legacy, I would suggest playing any deck that can handle both aggro and combo. My personal favorite is Landstill, but there are plenty of decks that can handle these two styles- you just must be prepared to face them. Dredge did take a huge hit this week going from the number 2 spot to the 17th spot. This should be a clear indication that players are starting to pack more grave hate, but seeing Vengevine Survival in the Top 3 makes me wonder if players are just not playing Dredge at the moment. Still, I would suggest packing graveyard hate in your sideboard if you plan to venture into Legacy events. Good luck if you do!
Scars of Mirrodin Eternal Checklist
Wizards must be designing with Eternal Magic in mind. Let’s look at all of the possible SoM inclusions to the oldest formats!
Colorless
Mox Opal — When I first saw this card, I wasn’t sure to think. I loved the fact that we were going to get a new Mox for both Legacy and Vintage, but I wasn’t sure if it would be wise to run more than one copy in my deck due to the Legendary rule. After seeing the results of a few Legacy and Vintage tournaments, I can say that it would be a safe bet to pick up 4 copies of the newest Mox. Opal will fit best in MUD and Affinity decks but can very easily be played in any number of other decks. Expect to see this card being played in both Legacy and Classic online. Pick up at least 1 if not 4!
Memnite — A zero costing 1/1 Artifact Creature… sign me up for a playset! We have all seen the power of similar costing creatures, but never before have we had a zero cost Artifact Creature that has the ability to be Skullclamped. Sadly, this only applies to Vintage and Classic (where Clamp sees little to no play), but do expect this guy to see play in Affinity decks. Pick up 4 copies.
Ratchet Bomb — Wow, just wow! As if we needed another sweeper in these formats. Ratchet doesn’t kill everything like some of the other sweeps in the format, but it is easier to play than something like Engineered Explosives. The Bomb has already seen play in both Legacy and Vintage and is a sure contender with Powder Keg. In some situations Keg may be better than Ratchet and vice versa, but that all depends on the metagame. Be sure to pick up 2-4 copies of this awesome new sweeper.
Steel Hellkite — INSANE INSANE! A sweeper that comes with a body at the cost of 6 Colorless mana screams, “Play me!” While Hellkite will be seeing some Legacy play, I expect it to impact Vintage and Classic a lot more with the MUD decks, but only time will tell. Pick up 1-2 copies.
Wurmcoil Engine — When I first saw this card I didn’t think much of it, but after seeing this guy in play, I can say that he truly is good. Coil has seen play in both Legacy and Vintage already, but like many of the artifacts already mention, the colorless titan will fit best in the Vintage MUD decks. Since Coil is also a promo, it should be easy to pick up your copies. I suggest picking up at least 2 if not a full playset.
Myr Battlesphere — This guy can get out of hand if it gets onto the battlefield. I expect to be seeing this 7 drop bomb in MUD decks as well. Battlesphere is also an excellent Tinker target and will be competing with the other 7 cost artifact: Platinum Angel. I suggest picking up 1-2 copies.
Nihil Spellbomb — More graveyard hate is never a bad thing. Add to the fact that this card doesn’t remove itself from the game like Relic of Progenitus, allowing you to bring it back from your graveyard, and you have yourself a winner. You can also draw a card when sacrificing the Spellbomb if you are running black. Pick up 4 copies.
Precursor Golem — As if MUD decks needed even more power from this set… Precursor puts 9 power of creatures on the board for 5 mana, making it better than both Juggernaut and Rusted Relic. The only problem is that any removal that targets one Precursor will also remove the other from the game, but I would gladly take my chances any day for 9 points of raw power. Pick up 4 copies.
Sylvok Replica — History has shown us that creatures that can destroy both Artifacts and Enchantments are highly valued in the Eternal formats. Add to that fact that this card can be played with any deck that has green, and you have a sure winner. Even with just Mox Opal, this card can see play in Affinity, Workshop, and MUD decks as an answer to artifacts and enchantments. Pick up 4 copies.
Sword of Body and Mind — See my FTV article here.
Rusted Relic — Another alternative for MUD and Workshop decks for the Juggernaut slot. The main reason one would run this over Juggernaut is that it allows you to choose whether or not you should attack (as well as a bigger body allowing it to survive), but you also need 3 artifacts in play in order for it to be useful. Pick up 4 copies.
Contagion Clasp — I know what a lot of you are saying- what, really? Really. In Vintage and Classic, there are so many creatures with a toughness of 1 that decks rely on, and Clasp is a way of dealing with them. Clasp will go in any deck; it is much easier than splashing black for Darkblast. Pick up 4 copies.
White
Leonin Arbiter — If you have had the experience to play against this guy, you know already know that he is the most painful of thorns in your side. Arbiter can effectively stop a player from finding lands, comboing off, or even tutoring for a key card long enough for you to win. I would expect Arbiter to see play in Death and Taxes (DnT), Zoo, and Stax decks. Pick up 4 copies.
Elspeth Tirel — While Tirel may not be better than her previous Elspeth version, the reinvented walker does provide a way to destroy all permanents (besides tokens)- a way to turn some games around. She also provides a way to put tokens into play which will allow you to start beating down or play defender depending on the situation. I have seen every planeswalker in both Legacy and Vintage, so I would assume I will run into Tirel one day as well. Pick up 1-2 copies.
Blue
Riddlesmith — Not so much Legacy playable as it is Vintage. With the amount of decks in Vintage running artifacts, Riddlesmith‘s ability to draw and dispose of unneeded cards can quickly end the game in your favor. If you are interested in Vintage and/or Classic, get 4 copies.
Vedalken Certarch — A card that will most likely only be seeing play in Affinity decks and Vintage decks. I am not too crazy about this card, but the potential is there. Tapping your opponent’s lands, artifacts, and creatures for free is always a good thing. Pick up 4 copies.
Grand Architect — This guy is just all around crazy. Not only is it a blue creature lord, but it also allows you to tap your creatures in order to have extra mana to play artifacts or abilities of Artifacts. I expect to see players trying to abuse Architect’s power in both Legacy and Vintage. Pick up 4 copies.
Trinket Mage — If you need an introduction to this bad boy then you probably haven’t played either Legacy or Vintage. The ability to tutor up an artifact with converted mana cost 1 or less is simply amazing on a creature. If you don’t have this guy already for some reason, pick up 4 now.
Red
Galvanic Blast — Not necessarily a replacement card for Red Deck Wins (RDW), but there are plenty of decks that will have 3 or more Artifacts on the battlefield that also run Red. Being able to deal 4 damage for a single red mana is probably as good as you’re going to get, and even if you don’t have metalcraft, you can still deal 2 damage if need be. Pick up 4 copies.
Maybe Playable
Colorless
Darksteel Juggernaut — This guy probably won’t see much play, but there is a chance that he might show up in MUD and Workshop decks. If he had trample with his indestructibility, Darksteel’s ‘Naut would be much more attractive, but since he doesn’t, I don’t think many players will opt for him over cards already used in MUD. Hold off buying your copies.
Kuldotha Forgemaster — A Tinker on legs isn’t bad, but 5 mana is a bit much for this guy. I don’t think this card will see much Vintage/Classic play, but in Legacy, Tinker effects are hard to find. I could see this card seeing play, but to the level most people have hyped. Pick up 1-2 copies.
Palladium Myr — Everyone knows that in the Eternal formats getting more mana is essential, and Palladium does exactly that. But while it allows you to tap for 2 colorless mana, it does cost 3 mana and has summoning sickness. Still, as an Uncommon, it’s a safe bet to pick up 4 copies and play around with the card.
Etched Champion — This card won’t be seeing any play in Vintage/Classic, but it has some potential for Legacy. Affinity is about the only deck that I could see this card going into, and even then, it’s debatable. The reason Affinity would run Champion would be to help stave off the aggro competition, but I can’t really see many Affinity players being worried enough to add Champion. I would wait on this one.
White
Glint Hawk — I can see some potential in this card (especially in combination with Artifacts with comes into play abilities), but I don’t think there’s enough for this guy. I’m sure players are going to try to find a way to abuse this guy’s ability, but until then, I doubt Hawk will see much play. Still at Common rarity, picking up 4 copies is a smart move.
Red
Arc Trail — 2 mana for a Sorcery burn card? While I agree being an Instant would help this card leaps and bounds, being able to hit more than 1 target with a burn spell is just awesome. Arc allows you to target a 1 toughness creature and another creature on the board, or allows you to remove those last few counters on that planeswalker. If those 2 options weren’t enough, you can always send the rest of the damage right on over to your opponent’s face- making this card very versatile. I would pick up 4 copies.
Koth of the Hammer – I can’t really see this guy seeing a whole lot of play in Red Deck Wins (RDW) in Legacy. RDW wants to win by Turn 4-5 and, against some decks, Koth just isn’t going to cut it, but like I stated earlier, I have seen every planeswalker in both Legacy and Vintage. I would wait on this guy, but I could see some decks trying to run 1-2 copies.
Tunnel Ignus – This card isn’t exactly a big hitter in the online Eternal scene. The two decks (Lands and Gush) that Ignus helps combat really aren’t playable online yet. I’d wait to see what the price settles at, and if it is cheap, grab 4.
Multicolored
Venser, the Sojourner – A blue-white planeswalker… hmmm… what deck would possibly run this card? Why not a deck that is already running planeswalkers in that color- Landstill! I’m not totally sold on the new Venser, but it has some interesting abilities that may make it playable. Being able to exile a permanent you control before activating one of Landstills sweepers sounds very appealing to me, but we would have to wait till Turn 5 before we could do such a thing. Venser will allow you to win the games with the -1, making all of your manlands unblockable. Can you say bye bye to Creeping Tar Pit for me? I thought so, but by the time you get to Venser’s ultimate ability, you probably should have won the game or have the game in your control. I don’t see Venser seeing much play, but I think 1 copy is safe to have.
Magic Online Deck Series
With SoM thoroughly discussed, we are on to next interesting bit of Eternal Magic news. There was a bit of a surprise in the deck section of the MTGO client when players logged on last Wednesday, and what surprise was that? Well it turns out there are two new preconstructed decks in the client’s deck database called Magic Online Deck Series, and they are specifically built for the Legacy format! I’m not sure the reasoning behind this, but I would guess that with the recent prize change in the Legacy payouts, they are trying to push the Legacy format to even more players. Even though these two decks aren’t available in the MTGO store yet, I would expect to see them coming soon. Luckily, we are able to see the exact lists anyway! Let’s take a closer look at the two offerings that might be appearing shortly in the MTGO store.
The first deck that we will cover is a Red Deck Wins (RDW) variant.
"Boltslinger"
|
| ||||||||
The cost of the singles in this Red Deck Wins (RDW) deck on the current market ranges at about 74-76 tickets for the entire deck! Of the two decks, RDW is the most complete for the format. There are only a handful of cards that the deck is really lacking: the fetchlands, Grim Lavamancer, Sulfuric Vortex, Cursed Scroll, and other cards that can fit into the sideboard. Other than that the deck looks fairly decent as Legacy RDW goes.
The second deck we will cover is a Death and Taxes (DnT) variant.
"Exiler"
|
| ||||||||
The cost of the singles in this Death and Taxes (DnT) deck on the current market ranges at about 57-59 tickets for the entire deck. Unlike the RDW deck this DnT deck is very lacking in the key card department. Most DnT decks run 3-4 Wastelands which are sitting at a pretty 34 tix each, so it makes sense that they are absent. I do believe that Wizards could have added any combination of Mother of Runes, Sword of Fire and Ice, and [card Sword of Light and Shadow[/card] to make the deck more complete and match pricewise with the RDW singles.
Since we don’t know the price of these MTGO exclusive decks, or if they will even be released, it is hard to determine if the deck will be worth picking up. My guess is that these decks will be ranging from $20-$35, and if so, the price will be well worth the deck if you don’t have these cards or are looking for a cheap deck to dip your toes into this exciting format. Obviously if the decks are the same price, the Red Deck Wins is going to be a better value ticket wise, but I believe Death and Taxes is an overall better deck in the format (even if this version is missing a few key cards). Keep your eyes peeled for further information on these decks and if Wizards will continue to sell other trimmed versions of Legacy decks.
That’s it for this week. Thanks for taking the time to read my article, and be sure to check in next time to see which deck I will be covering for you guys. As always please leave any comments, questions, or requests you have good or bad, and I will do my best to respond to them. Until next time, may the Force of Will be with you!
Owen Robbins
sounds like a pretty sweet profit too me : D
Thank you… if it is going to run in the 20$ to 35$ i might pick the DnT one up
that way i can start playing legacy
Anyways i know that sword of fire and ice will improve it but could you give me
some more advice on to improve it pls?
Thanks again for the article KillerOwen
Nice article though, very accurate assessments as far as I can tell.
Very sexy article!
@ masterofbrine: WE can only hope that’s the price they ask
@ zac: No problem mate! If I were going to edit this deck I would start out by removing the bodygaurds as those were an earlier build of DnT before we had Mother of Runes. I would also remove Wayfarer and Bonesplitter and add both Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of Light and Shadow. Last of all I would add 4 Wasteland to the deck. Also I prefer 4 Cononist for Storm and a Max of 3 Mangara. So to break it down.
Out
-4 Benevolent Bodyguard
-1 Mangara of Corondor
-1 Weathered Wayfarer
-1 Bonesplitter
-4 Plains
In
+4 Mother of Runes
+1 Ethersworn Canonist
+1 Sword of Fire and Ice
+1 Sword of Light and Shadow
+4 Wasteland
Then you can alter the deck from there. This should be a fairly standard build. Hope that helps
@ Dessiker: I believe they will eventually release Wasteland as a promo since there are 2 different paper promo versions. So I could see them doing that instead of throwing them in the deck, but hopefully the assessments can aid those of you interested in building your Legacy collection.
@ largebrandon: Thanks buddy many thanks to ChrisKool and Zwick for making it look even sexier than I had it. Glad you enjoyed the article.
O, Play ANT or Sneak Show. The entire meta is Zoo,DnT,Gobs,Vengevine. Since both those decks have good MUs against aggro, there is my vote. And Agg Loam is boring as hell to play and even more to watch.
nice article. i want more vids plz!