To attack my own claim that Biomancers aren't cutting it: After trying them out in place of my Bioshifts and Fathom Mages, not only has my overall staying power become greater, but I feel that Simic has found its stride.So, great suggestion earlier! At first, they didn't fit with the deck's purpose, but now I realize they truly define it. Thanks!
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Oh, I'd try to work on it more, but this is the best I can do with what I have. I rarely ever will build a proxy deck without being able to acquire the cards quickly. My school group is fairly competitive at the moment and I like to grab cards when I can. But, I'll be sure to look into some stuff. Just don't expect any major updates for a while! :)
Good point. For the most part, I agree, except where the man base is concerned. With a deck designed to maintain field presence, the mana base is just fine at 21. The creatures are relatively cheap, the deck does not intend to swarm, and all support cards are very cheap. By turn four, the worse I will do in any ordinary game would be three mana of any colour. Because the distribution is 29/28, the mana actually present will at least be useable. Sorry if it sounds like I'm debunking your theory, but play-testing has resulted in me having to drop mana in favour of more creatures. On the other hand, I like your green-base suggestions. The only thing is, I don't have access to trading for these singles, and I don't want to spend $20+ on a few boosters. I find that the current line-up is very reliable.I really do like the idea of the Tusker, I have tried the Biomancer, while Experiment One just doesn't work as nicely as I'd like. It's a fine one-drop, but it's actually not resilient enough for my liking. I've found it is better to have a way of reviving my Undying Wolf by removing its counters for cards rather than removing the Evolve Ooze's counters for no real advantage. At least with the Wolf, I can reset it's undying from time to time. It also combos very well with Hunger of the Howlpack. Imagine that turn two 5/5. Not much turn two or even turn three removal can counter this.While I truly do appreciate your suggestions, I feel that my current build is more suited to my purposes.I had tried Biomancers, but they're not reliable enough. Fun though!
Well, we're looking at something like turn seven, if everything goes well. But in reality, turn 12-13 is the norm, simply because it feels like an odd red control deck against most builds (Boros, R/G Aggro, Bant even....)I have managed a sixth turn win, but that was in a really messed up Maze deck. I don't think it counts, since my opponent got god-awful starting hands. On average though, the long-game is when the damage starts adding up.
Thanks. I really appreciate the interest. Anything specific you'd like to know?
It's absolutely not a scary thing. Anyway, where else would I be able to waste all of my hard earned cash? I've only been playing since Shards, so I've got nothing on you there. And I can understand that you wouldn't list those types of decks. But I have run Rakdos Aggro against Jund Control AND Esper Spirits before, so I'd know how to deal with them. But it sounds like one heck of a match up to me. I'd love to be able to play it sometime. Sounds like a great deal of fun. Where are you from? I'm residing in Down Under.But can we please get back onto the subject of Diabolic Dragons like we all came here for? That's the point of this thread.
I'd also like to add that our discussion has diverged from Dragons onto Overall strategy. I invite anyone to take this up on the forums, because this topic is supposed to be about Dragons in the current game. Sorry guys, my bad!
A strong argument, and brilliant points. And I certainly agree that we should indeed play for today. But that's sounding much too much like a perspective of LIVE for today. If we don't take the future into account, and quickly, these last five weeks are going to fly by and we'll be stuck with a whole lot of Modern cards we can't even begin to use in a GP. In this way, players like myself try to always stay one rotation ahead. I now no longer run anything from Innistrad for Standard play. And it hasn't let me down so far. My point is, by planning the game in advance, you'll know what the opponents are prone to do and it'll be easy enough to completely counteract whatever they do manage to do. And didn't one famous general say "A plan that outlives you opponent's is a plan worth saving"? I agree that Innistrad and it's friends will continue to be seen up to the last minute, but it's better to start gearing towards what will likely mean the loss of the better competitive decks. If you and I were to start playing now, I swear my Rakdos Aggro will beat you hands down. It only runs Ravnica block and M13/M14 crossovers. I've already stopped using my Reanimator deck because it's getting too predictable. PLAN for tomorrow by getting yourself ready TODAY. Brace yourself, Theros is coming.
Yes, five weeks that will creep up on you like it's just next week. While I for one am looking forward to the pre-release, I'll be sad to see Innistrad go. It seems to me that decks should be gearing towards the rotation, adapting to what will undoubtedly be a fairly controversial block. Therefore, more cards should be invested in that will survive the block. If Heartless Summoning isn't going to Standard for much longer, PaladinVito needs to rebuild it according to the coming set. Sure, keep the essentials in. But get rid of anything surplus. Dragons will still work (Theros mythology pertaining) but not with a card whose use is fluctuating at best.Looks like it's time to pull out Rakdos again...
PaladinVito is right on the ball though about Innistrad (and M13) rotating out in a matter of weeks. Afterwards, dragons are going to lose their big players, so it looks like M14's Scourge and yes, even Shivan, will see play as the replacement lizards. Disregarding the rotation times, Balefire Dragon is another awesome lizard that has been often underrated. Back when Innistrad first came out, I remember opening this guy in my first draft. It was an instant in with it's ability to evade, then absolutely NUKE the field. SO dragons are competitive in Modern, but once Theros rotates in, they will be pretty much unplayable as a tribal deck. Perhaps some are splashable, but that's about it.
Yeah, I read -2/-2. My bad guys. Anyway, the point still stands. Heartless Summoning isn't too useful. Perhaps it can help set up for the long game, but by itself and top decking, which seems likely, it's simply not that useful. I imagine it could remain interesting and amazing if it kicks off properly. Anyway, creatures are still better than enchantments in a deck like this.
Heartless Summoning is really not that effective in a deck like this. The key as stated is aggression, and aggression comes from being able to beat through defenses easily, when playing with dragons. Sure, it helps if speed is needed, but it really isn't needed here. The only thing that could really benefit from it is Archwing dragon. Being able to play a 2/2 haste flyer for RR is indeed amazing. Unfortunately, the rest of the deck would likely suffer from it, as far as I can see. Good suggestion though. Look up Heartless Angels. That's the best example of its use.
Hey, mate. While we all respect your opinion, try to stay polite. And no decent punctuation? Perhaps you should proofread your own stuff before posting a reply. Only a friendly suggestion!
Hey, thanks. I try. Actually, it's just this little thing I've got going on with my play group. Every time one of us comes up with a non-meta theme, we turn it into a Custom Pack kind of thing for our local tournament. It keeps thing interesting. Each of us has to come up with one in each Custom Pack tourney we host. The description judged best earns its creator a booster. After all, it's all part of the game!
@Kraimer: I agree. Although with the amount of mono-black and black/red being run at the moment, Doom Blade is definitely not to be played in a playset and it is much better to side in than main. Although, Palad's siding of artifact hate is interesting.
wow, I just built a mono-red dragon deck for my locals (placed second) but I never had considered mixing in black. Great idea! I could never quite understand why Altar's Reap was released, there was plenty of other draw avenues in the set. But now I guess, you found it. And Dreadbore you say? I can see why it's played, but wouldn't generic burn spells be just as good to save on resources? You should at least sideboard a few Shocks in any case.I take it this is also what you play currently? If it isn't and you just wanted to build something fun, perhaps you should think of adding in Utvara Hellkite? It combos so well with Archwing and can easily replace Dragon Egg if need be. Anyway, I hop you have a good time with this deck. It looks very fun indeed. Good luck to you.
Try Hidden Strings. It's solid and can even untap your stuff, if need be. Also have a look at something like Call of the Nightwing. Actually, a great card to side in is Bane Alley Broker as she grabs you those cipher beasts. Anyway, I hope you find some out there you like. Good luck!
I agree with LoLoPro. I've seen decks similar to this being run in drafts, but they were based around Door to Nothingness. This build really excels Door-Hinged any day! Well Done!
Yeah, I had been considering that, but I'm currently running on an extreme budget. This is what I already have access to without spending anything more. Also, this deck has been built in anticipation to my local constructed tournament. I'd rather not run Naya like the majority are since this build has stood up to Blitz and won so many times already. But, you're right. For the colours I'm running, Mayor would go beautifully in it. I wish I had him. He'd be so much better than Thalia. But Thalia does her job with FS and mana moderation.Thanks anyway, your advice is appreciated.I'll be sure to add Mayor in the future.
Would I be correct in assuming you want to tap creatures as quickly as possible. If so, may I suggest the addition of some blue spells in the form of Feeling of Dread and Sleep? You may even wish to consider Burden, if you're walking this path. Anyway, have fun completing this build. Even now it is starting to look good.
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