[MtG-Modern] Affinity

[Simping For Hina]

Creatures:
4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Vault Skirge
4 Signal Pest
4 Ornithopter
2 Memnite
3 Master of Etherium
3 Steel Overseer

1 Spellskite

Artifacts:
3 Mox Opal
3 Springleaf Drum
4 Cranial Plating
1 Welding Jar

Spells:
4 Galvanic Blast
3 Shrapnel Blast

Lands:
4 Glimmervoid
4 Blinkmoth Nexus
4 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Darksteel Citadel
1 Island

 

Sideboard:

2 Thoughtseize

2 Ancient Grudge

2 Spellskite

1 Ethersworn Canonist

1 Spell Pierce

1 Rest in Peace

1 Illness in the Ranks

2 Grafdigger's Cage

1 Relic of Progenitus

2 Rule of Law

[Rodrigo]

But Etched Champion is not even on the sideboard? This surprised me.

[Simping For Hina]

I have been going in and out of him in sideboard. Last tournament, I ran to in sideboard.

 

This is the sideboard I ran last week

3 Thoughtseize

3 Ancient Grudge

1 Spellskite

1 Torpor Orb

2 Rule of Law

1 Grafdigger's Cage

2 Relic of Progenitus

2 Etched Champion

 

I decided to try out Unified Will above Etched Champion this time around to see if it is more appealing in more matchups. I am not in agreement with this, but my friends are suggesting it, so I am willing to try. I don't think the results will be that great, but Unified Will is better against Living End, BW Tokens, Splinter Twin, Scapeshift, and G(r) Tron. Many of these decks have been up and coming as of late, so I want to test my matchup with them. Etched is getting to become narrow except against Jund, BGX, UWR, Faeries, and many other control decks, which have been decreasing in popularity. They are also the weaker match ups for me, which is why I would rather test than make a full on change with my sideboard. I think that the deck is rather safe right now, except for the staples in sideboard.

[Flame Dragon]

The 4th Mox and Drum are really important. Every time I play the deck I just want more fast mana stuff and those 2 are really key to that. Also, having 2 more colored sources is really important, espeically since you have a lot of different colored cards. Spellskite main seems like a little much since this deck wants to kill on turn 4 and that keep that from happening. Other cut from the main is the Overseer. He is really good, but a tad on the slow side. I like running 2. 

 

For the Sideboard I don't like the Ethersworn Canonist. Your only going to want that for Storm, but oyu already have Rule for that match up. I think that should become Spellskite #2.

[Simping For Hina]

The 4th Mox and Drum are really important. Every time I play the deck I just want more fast mana stuff and those 2 are really key to that. Also, having 2 more colored sources is really important, espeically since you have a lot of different colored cards. Spellskite main seems like a little much since this deck wants to kill on turn 4 and that keep that from happening. Other cut from the main is the Overseer. He is really good, but a tad on the slow side. I like running 2. 

 

For the Sideboard I don't like the Ethersworn Canonist. Your only going to want that for Storm, but oyu already have Rule for that match up. I think that should become Spellskite #2.

I would probably go to a 4th Springleaf, but the fourth Opal is rather unneeded and unimportant without having an Etched Champion. I went to having a Glimmervoid above it because it is just so much more reliable within a game, while a mox any time after 3rd turn is usually a dead draw and just unhelpful. Glimmervoid at least supplies more colored mana while not having to worry about getting rid of the others for any specific reason. I would agree with you on the idea that having two colored sources is important, but Mox Opal isn't the way to do it without having Etched Champion bring a forerunner in this deck.

 

Spellskite was a recent addition to the main board because I kept siding it in a lot more often than I have been siding other cards. Right now, I am actually happy about having it in the board because it just weakens more matchups. It is more than just reassurance, and rather meant to face off against Zoo and Control right now. I don't regret putting it in because it just helps me more than it doesn't. If I was going to have it in my hand anyways, the game would be slow no matter what. And sometimes this deck needs to play the slow game against control, which Spellskite does already an amazing job at that. If I had to do anything, I would take out Spellskite for another Springleaf Drum. Which, if I do that, then I would have two in sideboard.

 

Steel Overseer, in my opinion, shouldn't be ran at any less than 3. It may be slow, but once it untaps, you win the game. And it is only really slow against a few decks, which those aren't a problem until game 2 after sideboarding. I don't always sideboard them out, and I don't think that they should always be sided out. Early on, they are going to be the best "lord" than you can play. And sometimes, they draw out a Spell Snare, which is just spectacular. If you're going to run less than three, you should at least run 1-2 Steelshaper's Gift, which is just way too aggressive than I would be happy to do. The problem that Steel Overseer has, though, is that it doesn't affect the board, but is provides an essential gameplan quickly. This deck doesn't want to just point all of its burn at the opponent, but burn is a second game plan. And with Steel Overseer always drawing removal better than a lot of this deck, it is another idea that creatures are either another way to cast a spell or a better boost with Arcbound Ravager.

 

The Rule of Law and Ethersworn are different, though, and they are better against different decks. It was meant for a more open game where I would rather have an Ethersworn against Storm and infect to slow them down at the speed that Goblin Electromancer speeds them up. Rule of Law is better against Living End and harder to deal with outside of Beast Within. Ethersworn gives a prominent backup as it is also a creature and can attack if need-be. I never play more than 1 Rule of Law since my last two tournaments because they just become a deck card after your opponent over-extends or just plays without relying on their game-plan. Ethersworn at least gives a little edge to match ups. Having 1 of each just seems to be more open to different match ups that are bound to come up anyways. Ethersworn is meant for more than just storm. If you're sideboarding just for a single deck, then you are not going to be ready for different decks or players. Variety provides edge and quicker plays than what some people would expect. It also draws away from cards such as Echoing Truth, Bile Blight, Maelstrom Pulse, and related cards.

[Flame Dragon]

I would probably go to a 4th Springleaf, but the fourth Opal is rather unneeded and unimportant without having an Etched Champion. I went to having a Glimmervoid above it because it is just so much more reliable within a game, while a mox any time after 3rd turn is usually a dead draw and just unhelpful. Glimmervoid at least supplies more colored mana while not having to worry about getting rid of the others for any specific reason. I would agree with you on the idea that having two colored sources is important, but Mox Opal isn't the way to do it without having Etched Champion bring a forerunner in this deck.

 

 

The Rule of Law and Ethersworn are different, though, and they are better against different decks. It was meant for a more open game where I would rather have an Ethersworn against Storm and infect to slow them down at the speed that Goblin Electromancer speeds them up. Rule of Law is better against Living End and harder to deal with outside of Beast Within. Ethersworn gives a prominent backup as it is also a creature and can attack if need-be. I never play more than 1 Rule of Law since my last two tournaments because they just become a deck card after your opponent over-extends or just plays without relying on their game-plan. Ethersworn at least gives a little edge to match ups. Having 1 of each just seems to be more open to different match ups that are bound to come up anyways. Ethersworn is meant for more than just storm. If you're sideboarding just for a single deck, then you are not going to be ready for different decks or players. Variety provides edge and quicker plays than what some people would expect. It also draws away from cards such as Echoing Truth, Bile Blight, Maelstrom Pulse, and related cards.

 

 

 

You keep talking about Champion, but you have 3 Master of Etherium. You need to hit 3 mana just as bad with as you do Champ. And its never dead since you can make extras into +1/+1 counters or 5 damage. I'd  much rather a 4th Opal than a 4th Glimmer. Also, Platting on 3 mana is much better than it is when you play it with 2.

 

See, the problem with Ethersworn is that it itself is an artifact. People are already bringing in artifact hate, so bringing in something that they can just kill with it seems bad. I also don't think she is good vs. Infect since they just need to spread out there +4/+4 over two turns. You have more Blasts than normal Affinity lists so your already better able to handle their creatures, but that just makes her even less good. If you want her effect just play a 2nd Rule. It avoids all the creature kill on top of the artifact hate people are already bringing in against you. Not only that but you aren't playing around Truth Blight, or Pulse since you'd never have 2 Rules in play in the first place.

[Simping For Hina]

You keep talking about Champion, but you have 3 Master of Etherium. You need to hit 3 mana just as bad with as you do Champ. And its never dead since you can make extras into +1/+1 counters or 5 damage. I'd  much rather a 4th Opal than a 4th Glimmer. Also, Platting on 3 mana is much better than it is when you play it with 2.

 

See, the problem with Ethersworn is that it itself is an artifact. People are already bringing in artifact hate, so bringing in something that they can just kill with it seems bad. I also don't think she is good vs. Infect since they just need to spread out there +4/+4 over two turns. You have more Blasts than normal Affinity lists so your already better able to handle their creatures, but that just makes her even less good. If you want her effect just play a 2nd Rule. It avoids all the creature kill on top of the artifact hate people are already bringing in against you. Not only that but you aren't playing around Truth Blight, or Pulse since you'd never have 2 Rules in play in the first place.

Mox Opal is a very dead card late game since it doesn't provide any threat besides the +1/+1 counter. I would have no means to use it and it would just eat up another Mox Opal. I would rather have those live draws that affect the game more than just an open mana source that does nothing on its own the more that I draw. There are a lot more live draws that this deck works well with and they all help Master of Etherium better. I keep talking about Etched Champion because Mox Opal is better with him than Master anyways. At the point where I revert back to using Etched Champion, if that point ever comes back, then I would proudly use 4 Mox Opals. Getting an early Etched Champion is more devastating than a Master of Etherium, which is why Mox Opal is better with Etched Champion. Until then, having the 4th Glimmervoid has been a lot better than drawing into Mox Opals. They are also better since I can have more than one on the battlefield. Even if I use Shrapnel or Ravager to sac an Opal, it doesn't really promote an active game plan. Which, you're right about the Cranial Plating being better with three mana than two, but Cranial Plating has been the most hit card when I play this deck, so having 3 mana open as apposed to two, it doesn't really change anything. And playing an early Cranial Plating with little threats isn't that great of a play as it causes you to over extend usually, and makes your board very vulnerable anyways.

 

I don't really see they problem with Ethersworn being an artifact or creature. It is surprisingly a very good bonus in the deck, based around artifacts. Sure, people run artifact hate, but if they hit my Ethersworn over something else, let them. They wasted a resource and a turn pretty much, already slowing them down enough where I can come around and win through a Galvanic Blast anyways. Rule of Law is meant to be a very specific card against Storm and other combo decks. It is very surprising now for one of them not to be hit with spot removal. Against Infect, the deck is a very easy match up for Affinity since their evasive is about the same as ours, but ours is better and in more numbers. Infect usually has to find an opening and make sure that they hit in that opening as much as possible. Ethersworn is actually very good against them since it gets around Simic Charm and Vines of Vastwood, which has been seeing a lot more play. Infect is usually forced to waste a lot of its pump spells during an opening, and more experienced players make sure that they win through that opening. Ethersworn stops that play and doesn't have to block or cause my to waste removal when they give their guys protection.

 

Using a second Rule of Law is not a play I am very enthused about since my last testing spree because it was eaten by Maelstrom in the Living End match up plenty of times when I was only prepared for Beast Within. And Ethersworn is fast enough that it slows down my opponent enough for me to either win against the opponent in that time frame or draw another live card against their deck. Rule of Law is a very great card, but so is Ethersworn. Having a one-one split between the two has been going better for me in many match ups because the opponent only suspects the player to use two of both, but never both. Catching them off card usually helps to change up their game plan, some mental playing. And the variance in the two cards is just a great idea for a more reactivate game toward different decks.

[Simping For Hina]

-1 Shrapnel Blast

-1 Spellskite

+1 Springleaf Drum

+1 Memnite.

 

Spellskite has rather been useless in plently of matchups that were tier two. They have been showing up more lately in the current meta, even when 15% of the meta is tier one decks. A memnite is great for speed, though, which isn't as bad. I think that resiliency was redundant by this point in testing. Flame Dragon mentioned why, pretty much, so I don't need to go into detail.

 

The sideboard has become a bunch of less 1-ofs for better and straight forward match ups just for my locals, which I'll also post a base here for that. In a much open meta, I would surely have a lot 1-ofs as my side is like that. I took Flame Dragon's advice on the 2nd Rule of Law, bar keeping the Ethersworn Canonist. Having 2 Rule of Law and 1 Ethersworn has changed my up combo match up a lot, making it basically a bye right now. I only had to dedicate 3 slots for those types of matchups, which have been improving the cards that I have in sideboard for a more open meta. I have 2 Rule of Law because having only 3 slots for things against Storm, Living End, Infect, Vigor and other decks that relate to the combo subtype changes how I deal with those matchups.Thougtseize has become easier to deal with by those decks in plent of ways, but doesn't change the fact that Thoughtseize is great for protection and just dealing with combo in some manner, even if small.

[Simping For Hina]

With a more open, controlling meta coming this way, Shrapnel Blast and BurnRed Affinity is actually just a really bad meta call when Scapeshift, Jund, and UWR are playing things like Anger of the Gods or Pyroclasm. I thought that it was smarter to play out the longer game version and the slower, more resilient deck. It doesn't force you to overextend your resources when you're not used to the deck and it plays out better against control game one. The problem is that Thoughtcast is just pretty bad against control game 2, so it is sided out. When you have no creatures, drawing 2 cards for 4+ is pretty ballsy. 

 

but this means playing a more standard Affinity list with 3 Thoughtcast and 2 Galvanic Blast, but also going back to having 4 Mox Opals main deck with Etched Champion as well. I'll update the exact numbers of the deck when I get some more play testing in against those particular decks. I mostly only take out Master of Etherium and Steel Overseer a little bit more, as my main list isn't in need of them for the aggro plan as much. This is pretty much always an aggro deck in whatever match up. The cards that support a faster game here are not as great as the card, and Steel Overseer fits that roll as it does support more of an aggressive plan. It is also pretty bad when there is more than 2. 

 

The sideboard is a little bit changed as Thoughtseize is going to be going right up to for 3-4, with more of storm cards coming out of board for Blood Moon. Scapeshift is a pretty bad deck against this deck, but Blood Moon and Etched Champion are just all stars in the match up. Having 2 Etched Champion in the board and having 1-2 Blood Moon is just game against Jund/BGX/Scapeshift/UWR/Domain Zoo when you run them quick or early in the game. They do support the plan well enough when you worry more about targeted removal and mana-intensive sweepers. 

 

These are the rough number of the cards I plan to add to maindeck and sideboard:

2 Etched Champion

3 Thoughtcast

1 Mox Opal

1 Welding Jar.

 

I am going to keep 2 Etched Champion since Master is still a great card, but not comparable to Etched in the wider range of match ups after sideboarding. That is why I am not going to keep any in Sideboard, but also having them in main deck. 
 

Welding Jar is going to help in both match ups of games since a lot of people do have creature removal. It does nothing against Path, so I would rather keep 2 in the board. It does a lot against Lightning Bolt, Slaughter Pact, Terminate, Abrupt Decay and others, so it is always good to have more than one. Even at 1, most games I would draw it. 

 

The sideboard consists more of: 

2 Blood Moon

2 Etched 

4 Thoughtseize

 

Explanations are above. I would probably go down to 3 Thoughtseize, 1 Etched Champion and have other, harder to remove cards since speed is less of a thing when dealing with other decks. 

[Simping For Hina]

So I changed the main deck to have Thoughtseize because, following LSV's idea, it is one of the biggest cards I side in during game 2, so I thought having it in the main deck would be a lot better. 

 

4 Thoughtcast

3 Thoughtseize 

 

is the arrangement of non-artifact spells. If an updated list is needed, I'll include the deck and sideboard with little notes as to my reasoning.

[Simping For Hina]

This is my most updated deck list:

4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Ornithopter
4 Signal Pest
4 Vault Skirge
3 Etched Champion
3 Steel Overseer
2 Memnite
1 Spellskite

4 Cranial Plating
4 Mox Opal
3 Springleaf Drum
1 Welding Jar

4 Thoughtcast
3 Thoughtseize

4 Blinkmoth Nexus
4 Darksteel Citadel
4 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Glimmervoid

Sideboard:
2 Galvanic Blast
2 Ancient Grudge
2 Blood Moon
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Relic of Progenitus
1 Spell Snare
1 Spellskite
1 Rest in Peace
1 Rule of Law
1 Thoughtseize
1 Whipflare

1 Torpor Orb



And next week, there is a modern PTQ taking place close to me, in the city, which I think I might go to if any of my friends are. If I do go this the PTQ, I will take this exact decklist and also come up with a tournament report of this deck. Going to be a pretty stellar week since most of my classes are going to be done with, or chilled, so I can probably play test with a few friends during the week anyways.

Well, wish me luck, and if you guys want an explanation on anything, just ask and I would be happy to have a write up of the deck list.

[Flame Dragon]

Not sure what to think of main deck Spellskite. Its a solid card, but it feels like you want to be as aggressive as possible game 1. Still, if your expecting it to be good more often than bad because of the meta its fine. For the side, it feels like you can use a little more hate for Splinter Twin. Something like Illness in the Ranks or Torpor Orb over a 3rd Galvanic Blast.

 

Anyway, best of luck at the PTQ. 

[Simping For Hina]

Well, I usually side in Spellskite against most Tier 1 or Tier 2 decks anyways, so having one in the mainboard hasn't been bad at all. It really is a proactive card that can be used aggressively and defensively. It is also a lot harder to kill than a Steel Overseer is. One of my favorite reasons to run it in the mainboard. Even in an open meta, there is still 75%+ that I am going to side it in, and it honestly does what Steel Overseer does most of the time, but better; It eats removal. I took out a Steel Overseer from mainboard to fit in Spellskite and it turned my weak matchups to strong ones. And affinity doesn't really have weak matchups, just strong hate cards.

 

You're probably right about the Twin hate, or just more hate against a lot of the field. Torpor Orb would probably be the better choice. I was never a fan of Illness in the Ranks since it is a very specific hate card and Melira Pod really doesn't run Lingering Souls in Sideboard anymore, anyways. Well, Galvanic Blast has only been a two of when I sideboard it in anyways, and that is mostly against the Control and Combo decks. Having Torpor Orb would just be better in those cases, and I was figuring out ideas to use it.

 

Changes Made:

 

Sideboard:

-1 Galvanic Blast

+1 Torpor Orb

 

Oh, and thank you!

[Simping For Hina]

PTQ Tournament Report

There was an eight round tournament at the PTQ, and I figured that I would have to set up my deck properly. I decided to get new sleeves for this tournament. Mistake. The sleeves weren’t broken in and my cards would slip out of my hands when I was shuffling a little. It was until the fifth round. The overall day was fun, and it was my first PTQ that I have decided to go to. Grinding was a little crazy and rounding out the day to make top 16. I was five away from making top 8, placing 13 at the tournament with Affinity. I was happy with my performance today and having thoughtseize in the main was far more superior then having G Blast.
The tournament was far more creature –combo/midrange based with no fringe decks that I noticed when I was looking around. Some of my friends from my play group decided to join me, and one of them made top 8. I was thoroughly impressed by my group’s play, and proud of the little bit of testing I even did right before it. If I did anymore, I would have probably played better or made a higher placement. But 13th place in an 8 round tournament is actually very good, in my opinion.

The first round was an easy and practically a bye against burn. Without Goblin Guide turn 1, the deck has no consistent threat and keeping them off of their burn was easy when using Vault Skirge or Etched Champion. The way to win is to either overextend, or force them to waste removal on creatures. Let them get rid of their hand fast and easy. Using Thoughtseize isn’t so bad when you’re only losing two life compared to 3. I lost the die roll, which wasn’t going to be the best play here. It is better to be on the play against burn to draw out their burn before they have the ability to play creatures. The hand I kept was a fast, and I had an Arcbound Ravager turn 1 with an Ornithopter to block a Goblin Guild. I usually let Arcbound take the hit against cards like Spark Elemental since I can get a 1/3+ Ornithopter or a 2/2+ Arcbound early on to have better threats against them. Having Welding Jar in my opening hand was insurance that I sacrificed to my Arcbound Ravager for an extra +1/+1 counter for a now 5/5. I could have won on turn 3 if I sacrificed everything to my Arcbound Ravager, but I wanted to play it safe.
1-0

I side boarded in Spellskite and Whipflare here. I was thinking about Galvanic Blast here, but Whipflare was a better catchall against their creatures if they kept a creature heavy hand, taking out 2 thoughtcast simply because they suck in this matchup. I was on the play. I aggressively mulligan to five in order to get a Spellskite. The hand had a Springleaf Drum and those cards are a hilariously combination against the burn deck. I could block their creatures and redirect most of their burn spells to Spellskite without wasting my life. The game led off with a turn 1 Goblin Guide to my measly Signal Pest. I took the hit to hopefully draw a land and play into a turn 2 Spellskite. I figured that holding the Springleaf Drum wasn’t going to be a probably when I could just block with Spellskite. I drew into an Arcbound Ravager on turn 3. I sacrificed aggressively at the end of my opponent’s turn to chump block and get rid of removal. Spellskite got three +1/+1 counters, and I was in pretty good shape. It was easy when I was either trading cards, one for one, or just swinging with Spellskite when both my opponent and I were topdecking. Having a betterboard state is a lot better when top deck, even if your opponent draws hate for us.
2-0


Round 2:
This was a mirror match against Affinity, but my opponent used Galvanic Blast instead of Thoughtseize and had no main deck Spellskite. I won the die roll this turn. In this match up, you have to be faster than your opponent. Removal is almost useless unless it trades 2 for 1. Having more creatures than your opponent is how you win. Run them out as fast as you can, and be aggressive. Don’t feel bad about overextending since it only helps. I kept a hand that gave me three mana with two Mox Opals on turn 1. I mulligan to six, though. Having a Darksteel, Signal Pest, Ornithopter, Vault Skirge and 2 Mox Opal was an easy clock for the game. Cards that would just be so bad here were going to be top decks, I figured, but I knew that I wasn’t going to get a better hand than this. If I had a Cranial Plating, I would have won much faster. I still won due to my opponent trying to be the defender in this game, working around fliers and trying to draw into hate. I drew an Arcbound Ravager around my third top deck and a Thoughtcast to follow. The Thoughtcast drew into more blank cards, like Blinkmoth when it could have been a Cranial Plating or Signal Pest, but using it to block an Etched Champion or other creatures it useful since it could become a 2/2.
1-0

I decided to side in Blood Moon, Ancient Grudge, Spell Snare and Spellskite in this matchup to take slower, but more effective route when I was on the draw. Blood Moon was sided in here because our lands were just so important Game 1 that I didn’t want to worry about them game 2. What I thought was: Slowing down the opponent was going to provide edge, and a much better outcome. I was wrong on that part and lost when my opponent keep a fast hand and stayed aggressive from the start. Ancient Grudge was an allstar, and I wish that I had another in my sideboard for this match up.
1-1

I took out my Blood Moons for G Blasts and boarded in another Thoughtseize. I kept out Etched Champion and Thoughtcast as they were too slow for this matchup. My goal was to either have hate or proactive cards that dealt with my opponent. I had a stable hand with Ravager, 2 Thoughtseize and a Steel Overseer. I played out Thoughtseize on turn 1 and on turn 2, taking away a Steel Overseer and Vault Skirge. My opponent then only had a Signal Pest, Ornithopter, lands and Springleaf Drum. I finally drew into a Cranial Plating turn 3, with an already 3/3 Steel Overseer and a 2/2 Arcbound Ravager. I was either going to draw removal or chump block, which I would have be okay with if it wasn’t an Ancient Grudge. Neither of us drew any of ours, but it is still a card to worry about. I won this, but it was the grindiest match and any good top decks could have shifted the game in either of our favors. Drawing consecutive mana sources were good, but they were better if they were threats.
2-1

Round 3:
This was the game that drew time. I was against Scapeshift. The game 1 is horrible if they have main deck Pyroclasms or Anger of the Gods. Most Scapeshift decks don’t have them in their maindeck right now, but there could always be that one deck that does. Running it out quickly going to either draw out a removal spell or to win was a good plan, but this deck decided to main deck Pyroclasms since Merfolk and Affinity weren’t seen that much in the meta and this was the best opportunity to play. I didn’t keep up with this guy for the rest of the day, I assume Pyroclasms served him well. I lost game 1 to that pyroclasm when I didn’t draw a Steel Overseer or Arcbound Ravager. I did have an Etched Champion with a Plating, but not only those artifacts after pyroclasm hit. Etched Champion died, and I only have a Plating. It gave him time to get two six lands and draw into a Scapeshift, causing me to lose.
0-1

I knew exactly the cards to side in at the moment. Blood Moon, Spell Snare, Thoughtseize, Spellskite and Relic of Progenitus. Either Relic was going to give me card advantage or just removal Snapcaster Bait from his graveyard. Taking out Memnite, Signal Pest and going to two Thoughtcast was definitely an idea here. It worked. I wanted to have another Thoughtcast to refill my hand and I almost didn’t draw any sideboard tech until I drew into a Spellskite. Vault Skirge was going to be the best card early on, but I didn’t want to take any life. I had to be fast, though. This deck was fast enough to win when I had two Spellskites and 2 Springleaf Drums off of a Thoughtcast. I had a Vault Skirge attached with a Crancial Plating for a turn until it got Izzet Charmed. I forgot to redirect it to Spellskite, which I thought would cost me the game. I survived a turn 6 Scapeshift due to my two Spellskites, taking six damage each, causing them to die. I was down 4 life, but I was in the driver’s seat with a Blinkmoth and Cranial Plating when my opponent was already down enough life, and I was still at a reasonable 18.
1-1

I kept the same sideboard plan since this matchup isn’t very dependent on who goes first or not. My opponent mulligan to 4 when all he kept drawing was hands full of lands. This hand was useful, though. 3 lands and a Pyroclasm, I think. Maybe not that, but close to. I took the Pyroclasm with a thoughtseize and had a turn 1 Arcbound Ravager with no other creatures. I just wanted to bring down his life, and Arcbound Ravager was a great card to bait other removal. I had a Blood Moon in my hand this time, which I got to play on turn 4 when my opponent still only drew or dead cards. I only kept hitting for one, but brought him down to a reasonable 12 life. My opponent finally drew into an izzet charm to get rid of my Arcbound, but I played another 1/1 Steel Overseer. I decided to keep up the offensive 1/1 plan instead of putting +1/+1 counters. That wasn’t a smart idea, and what caused us both to go to time.
1-1-1.

But this round, I was already at 2-0-1, and somewhat happy with how I played. I started to tilt in the grindy or longer matchups, but I already saw how I could have played them differently.

To be continued for now with the other 6 rounds either tomorrow or later. Sorry about taking so long with this write up as well. I have been busy lately, and my notes aren't all that legible to read. There might be some wrong information, but I think everything is correct, or mostly correct.

[Simping For Hina]

Because I really don't want to write out an entire paragraph for each match, I'll simply everything and keep them short.

 

Round 4: Vs. Zoo

This match up is simple: We're faster and we have better creatures in the long run.

Even if you go slow here, you win through attrition. The only things that matter are worrying about Tarmogoyf and keeping them off of Thundermaw Hellkite. I won game one because of faster plays and Spellskite blocking almost everything. Turn 1 Spellskite slows down their creatures in you can't beat them in time. Etched Champion and Thoughtcast are going to be too slow here. Side them out. Thoughtseize is going to be good in you're on the play. I was on the draw, so I sided in Galvanic Blast, Spell Snare and Whipflare. Whipflare isn't the best all around spell, and it usually trades 1-for-1. Getting rid of Qasali Pridemage is too good. I took out 2 Etched Champion and 2 Thoughtcast. This game was simple and I won through infect because it was just an easier way. Arcbound Ravager was a chump blocker, along with my other small creatues. I used a G Blast on Tarmogoyf and Wild Nacatl. I wish that I had a Dismember in this matchup, it would have been better against Knight of the Reliquary.

3-0-1

 

Round 5: Vs UWR Kiki Control

The only match that I lost so far. This deck caught me off guard since I treated it as a UWR Control/Midrange deck into game 2. I saw no Kikis, and that definitely beat me game 1. Game 2, since it isn't that much different from UWR Control/Midrange, I sided in Torpor Orb, Relic, 1 Blood Moon, and 2 Galvanic Blast. It was the right call since I could get rid of most of his creatures. Having 2 Etched Champions on the field was too nice not to totally blow out. I played around Electrolyze as that card is literally a killer for us. I won game 2 because of my Etched Champions, but almost lost to a Kiki-Jiki unknowingly. Game 3 was where I knew the deck, and I wish Dismember was in my sideboard again. I couldn't draw into any of my removal off of Thoughtcast, and Hurkyl's Recall was the fancy tech out of the sideboard. If I had seen this, I would have sided in Spell Snare as well.

3-1-1

 

Round 6: Vs. Living End.

Run out as many Arcbound Ravagers here. They are your best cards. Living End is the control deck in this game and you need to make sure he wastes every resource. Thoughtseize was the best card in this game since I was able to get rid of Demonic Dread on turn 3, before he was able to cast it. I won game 1. Game 2 was a little different. I sided in Thoughtseize, Rest in Peace, Rule of Law and Torpor Orb. I wasn't too reliant on Relic since I could time it wrongly or they could out pace the amount of times I would be able to use it. Inkmoth was the best card in game 2 along side Arcbound Ravager since I was able to play around cards like Beast Within and Living End, but still having a constant threat that grew each passing turn.

4-1-1

 

Round 7: Vs. B/W Tokens.

This is a really weird matchup because we're either too fast, or they have too many ways to combat our creatures. I mulligan to 5 in this when I couldn't find a land. I was having a hard time to stabilize with a turn 1 Inquisition right at me. I had no good threats that they would have trouble dealing with. I lost game 1 and then game 2. I sided in Whipflare, Rest in Peace and Relic. Most of my other cards weren't that great, and my sideboard wasn't equipped much for this match up. I would probably put in another whipflare in this or have an Electrickery. Having each boardwipes for cheap mana is too good for words. This time, I was already out of contention for top 8, I was still in good standings with the tie. There were only 15 people who had better records than me at this point, that I knew of, and if I won my next match, I would be pretty high on the standings. I should have brought this game to time if I could, even if I was in a state of losing. Getting some warnings for playing too slow wouldn't have bothered me much at this time. But I played fair and my opponent played better than I.

4-2-1

 

Round 8: Vs. Bogle.

This is a pretty weird match up. Either we win or we stall. Spellskite was the card I was hoping for in the opening hand. I didn't care about any other card. This is literally the best card in the matchup. I mulligan to 6, didn't get it, but I had a thoughtseize so I kept. Since they only run 12-13 creatures, their hands usually only have 1 creature. If I took that out, I would be good. If it had more, I take out the bigger threat or the biggest enchantment. I got rid of Daybreak Coronet, and I was pretty happy with my hand. I didn't draw into a Spellskite, but Inkmoth attacking for 3 every turn was enough to seal the deal and I won. Steel Overseer shouldn't be allowed to untap. Game 2, I sided in Thoughtseize, Spellsnare, Whipflare and Spellskite. These were enough I thought, but I only drew into Thoughtseize when my opponent mulligan to 4 since he didn't have a creature. I took out a Hyena Umbra, and he had 3 lands. My opponent got screwed into drawing too many lands, and I just won through a single threat: Vault Skirge + Cranial Plating.

5-2-1

 

Overall, I thought the tournament was rather different and a lot more competitive than what I would normally see. I was mostly happy with my decklist, but I should add a single Dismember and Electrikery, taking out 1 Galvanic Blast and Spell Snare. This gives me answers to Celestial Colonnades and other cards without relying on colored mana. And Electrickery is good against Bogle, B/W Tokens, All in Twin/Tempo Twin, Affinity and Pod.

 

I am probably going to lower my count of Thoughtcast since I sided out 2 of them almost every match up. Instead, I'll probably add a Memnite and Master of Etherium, for 27 creatures.

 

And that's the whole tournament report.

[Simping For Hina]

This is the decklist that I plan to take to the PTQ tomorrow in NY.

4 Arcbound Ravager
4 Ornithopter
4 Signal Pest
4 Vault Skirge
3 Etched Champion
3 Steel Overseer
2 Memnite
1 Spellskite
1 Master of Etherium

4 Cranial Plating
4 Mox Opal
3 Springleaf Drum
1 Welding Jar

2 Thoughtcast
3 Thoughtseize

4 Blinkmoth Nexus
4 Darksteel Citadel
4 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Glimmervoid
1 Ghost Quarter

Sideboard:
3 Dismember
2 Ancient Grudge
2 Whipflare
2 Blood Moon
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Spellskite
1 Rest in Peace
1 Rule of Law
1 Thoughtseize
1 Torpor Orb

[Simping For Hina]

GP Boston-Worcester is just a week away, I am still putting together my deck, but this is what I think might be the final result.

 

4 Arcbound Ravager

4 Vault Skirge

4 Signal Pest

4 Ornithopter

3 Etched Champion

3 Steel Overseer

2 Memnite

1 Master of Etherium

 

3 Thoughtcast

3 Galvanic Blast

 

4 Cranial Plating

4 Springleaf Drum

4 Mox Opal

1 Welding Jar

 

4 Glimmervoid

4 Blinkmoth Nexus

4 Inkmoth Nexus

4 Darksteel Citadel

 

Sideboard:

3 Thoughtseize

2 Ancient Grudge

2 Spellskite

1 Choke

1 Rule of Law

1 Dismember

1 Whipflare

1 Torpor Orb

1 Relic of Progenitus

1 Grafdigger's Cage

1 Spell Pierce

[CLG Klavier]

Any reason you dropped the standard 1-of basic vs Path/GQ?

[Simping For Hina]

Because it has too many downsides to have an upside. I am looking to cast 4 different colors most of the time after I sideboard, but it just drains. The best reason for the basic was to shuffle, and I can just failure to find and shuffle that way. I would rather be able to instant speed attach Cranial Plating, use Thoughtcast and Galvanic Blast all on the same land.

[Simping For Hina]

I went 6-2-1. There were nine rounds and I missed out on day 2 right at the mark. I'll post my actual decklist and pictures later.

[Flame Dragon]

Very impressive. The field was huge, so even if you just missed day 2, thats a really solid result. 

[Simping For Hina]

There were 2400 people, but the tournament was split into two. White sheet and Blue Sheet. There was the arena and the main area. Only 1100 were in the arena, were I was put and 1300 were in the main area.

My decklist was

4 Arcbound Ravaged
4 Vault Skirge
4 Signal Pest
4 Ornithopter
3 Etched Champion
3 Steel Overseer
2 Memnite
1 Master of Etherium
1 Spellskite

4 Cranial Plating
4 Mox Opal
3 Springleaf Drum
1 Welding Jar

3 Ensoul Artifact
2 Galvanic Blast

4 Glimmervoid
4 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Blinkmoth Nexus
4 Darksteel Citadel
1 Island

Sideboard:
3 Thoughtseize
2 Ancient Grudge
1 Blood Moon
1 Rule of Law
1 Whipflare
1 Rest in Peace
1 Spellskite
1 Torpor Orb
1 Relic of Progenitus
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Spell Snare
1 Spell Pierce


[spoiler=Pictures]
[/spoiler]

[Flame Dragon]

Ensoul Artifact seems spicy. How was it for you?

[Simping For Hina]

Ensoul Artifact was a last minute addition on Friday, but I never hated the card since and I was happy to play it. I only sided it out in the BGx Midrange decks, and kept it otherwise. It was the best card I could have used against UW Tron, which gave me my first round win. I also used it against a 5 color zoo deck since they can't beat a 5/5 Indestructible creature. I used it on a Welding Jar when I had no more creatures. I never regretted having the card, it was one of the best additions I made.

The only thing I wish was that Rule of Law was another Blood Moon, I expected to play Storm or Ad Nauseam but the decks were not that prevalent in the higher tables Blood Moon would have been amazing against UWR and June, which I did side it in, but I never drew it.

[Flame Dragon]

Frank Karten, a really big Affinity player, also ended up playing 2 Ensoul. That fact that you arrived to it on your own is really impressive. Going to try them out next time I play my Affinity list.