Comments on: Standard Spike: Revisiting Blue-White Control

By: Someguy

Someguy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:39:47 +0000

I see where you’re going but there is no turn two UU play in your deck and I can’t think of one you could rep in your deck in game 2 that is believable (tho that might just be lack of imagination on my part), and there certainly isn’t one after you tap out to play Kor (There isn’t much of anything he could do to change that plan there).

Turn – Mana Available – Plays & Reps
Turn 1 – W – Condemn
Turn 2 – W, U/W – Kor, Wall of Omens
Turn 3 – W, U/W, U – Lots of stuff

Like I said, I totally admit I am nitpicking, but I’m pretty confident that it is a strictly inferior play in that spot in your deck.

On the Venser, yeah =/ you’re 100% correct, I went and playtested it a bit after I posted that…it really just is an awful fit in terms of tempo (among other issues) in your deck. Prolly should have tested it before I said anything but in my defense I still think it looks like it should work on the surface…oh well, live and learn.

By: _ShipItHolla

_ShipItHolla — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:17:56 +0000

I consider playing Glacial Fortress on turn 1 the correct play. It enables you to have access to either UU or WW on turn 2. The only reason to lead with Plains or Island over it is for Condemn or Spell Pierce, which if I had I would do.

I tried Venser knowing that its only good against the mirror/UB and RG Valakut, and I didn’t like it. Tapping out for it in either of those matchups is rarely worth it. A 5 drop that makes your 6 drops better isn’t something that I really want to play.

By: Someguy

Someguy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:28:45 +0000

Small issue, but in Match 4 game 2 you mul’d to 6 and lead with a glacial fortress despite having a plains and island in hand. In the situation it made literally zero difference but leading with the plains has to be the correct play there right? I mean there is no situation where you prefer a tapped land over an untapped one even if there are absurdly few situations where an untapped land matters.

Seriously nitpicking there, but you seem serious enough about getting better that even small things like this should matter to you. It’s much less about the play itself, and more about the mindset of optimal play.

PS – Really love your videos, and re: your comment in the first video (iirc) I would love to see you tackle SoM draft.

PSS – What are your thoughts on Venser, the Sojourner in this deck? His +2 synergizes amazingly with all of your creatures except Linvala (not a big deal) and any time he ultimates there is next to zero chance you lose the game. The only issue I see is that there are still some pretty solid reasons to run the Jace compliment you have and you don’t really have any other spots for yet another Planeswalker.

By: nathones

nathones — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:05:13 +0000

not sure how much I like the Walls

By: Awesome7574

Awesome7574 — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:41:31 +0000

I recorded myself once and I played like shit. I think the reason is that you feel obligated to also entertain your audience and so you aren’t 100% focused on the game.

By: _ShipItHolla

_ShipItHolla — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:30:09 +0000

@Muthy: RoninX is correct in saying that had I done that the ability would have been countered due to the opposing Frost Titan’s ability.

For anyone who wants to discuss the evolution of the deck, I’ve made a post in the forum with my current decklist: http://www.mtgoacademy.com/bbforum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=32&sid=ae7811f314a261ce01d04676285a5b2f

And if you want to make your own thread for another deck, feel free and maybe we can get some discussion going.

By: _ShipItHolla

_ShipItHolla — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:20:39 +0000

I appreciate the criticism, whether or not constructive. Everyone makes mistakes at times, and unfortunately for me I make them on camera. I seem to be playing worse while recording and I don’t really know of a good way to remedy that other than to record replays, but most people would rather see live games, and replays miss out on sideboarding and accurate train of thought recollection. I would ask that you please point out mistakes if you’re going to make comments on them.

@dlab: Well to tell the truth I don’t really know the matchup that well. This was one of the first events I’d played with new UW and SOM for that matter. I didn’t feel that I wanted to tap out for Day and have them land a Koth or Masticore, but you’re right, it’s probably better than Spreading Seas.

@zac: Flashfreeze could come in, but I did bring in plenty of other counters so didn’t feel I needed to add a narrow one in addition.

@RoninX: Yeah that was pretty greedy. At the time I felt that an active Ascension was the only way he good win. Didn’t see the Frost Titan coming, but at least I will be more prepared for it from now on.