The Essential Update!

[kerbythepurplecow]

It's that time again as everyone who cares has been mostly lax over the past couple sets. We almost made some ground in finishing M11, but then those darned Scars previews hit. So, first I'm going to post the current decklist. Next, I'll summarize our conversation from M11. Then I'll add the saucy stuff from Scars.

Behemoth Sledge
Black Lotus
Bosh, Iron Golem
Chrome Mox
Citanul Flute
Crucible of Worlds
Darksteel Colossus
Etched Oracle
Expedition Map
Fellwar Stone
Gilded Lotus
Lotus Bloom
Memory Jar
Mind's Eye
Mox Crystal
Mox Diamond
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Saphire
Nevinyrral's Disk
Panoptic Mirror
Scroll Rack
Sensei's Divining Top
Skullclamp
Sol Ring
Solemn Simulacrum
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sunforger
Tawnos's Coffin
Umezawa's Jitte
Vedalken Orrery

All is Dust
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre

Academy Ruins
Adarkar Wastes
Arid Mesa
Badlands
Battlefield Forge
Bayou
Bloodstained Mire
Bojuka Bog
Brushland
Caves of Kolios
City of Brass
Emeria, the Sky Ruin
Flagstones of Trokair
Flooded Strand
Forest
Grand Coliseum
Island
Karakas
Karpulsan Forest
Kor Haven
Krosan Verge
Lavaclaw Reaches
Library of Alexandria
Llanowar Reborn
Llanowar Wastes
Marsh Flats
Maze of Ith
Misty Rainforest
Mountain
Murmuring Bosk
Nimbus Maze
Plains
Plateau
Polluted Delta
Reflecting Pool
Savannah
Scalding Tarn
Scrubland
Shivan Reef
Stomping Ground
Strip Mine
Sulfurous Springs
Swamp
Taiga
Terramorphic Expanse
Tolaria West
Tropical Island
Tundra
Undergroud River
Underground Sea
Urborg
Verdant Catacombs
Vesuva
Volcanic Island
Volrath's Stronghold
Wasteland
Windswept Heath
Wooded Foothills
Yavimaya Coast
Yavimaya Hollow
Zoetic Cavern

Avatar of Woe
Bane of the Living
Contract from Below
Damnation
Decree of Pain
Demonic Collusion
Demonic Tutor
Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
Guiltfeeder
Kokusho, the Evening Star
Living Death
Mortivore
Oversold Cemetary
Recurring Nightmare
Sudden Death
Suffer the Past
Tortured Existence
Vampiric Tutor
Yawgmoth's Will

Allied Strategies
Ancestral Recall
Ancestral Vision
Arcanis the Omnipotent
Bribery
Bringer of the Blue Dawn
Compulsion
Cunning Wish
Draining Whelk
Drift of Phantasms
Fabricate
Fact or Fiction
Forbid
Future Sight
Gifts Ungiven
Intuition
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Magus of the Jar
Mystical Teachings
Mystical Tutor
Recurring Insight
Rite of Replication
Sphinx of Magosi
Stroke of Genius
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
Thada Adel, Acquisitor
Time Spiral
Time Walk
Timetwister
Tinker
Trinket Mage
Willbender
Wonder

Anathemancer
Brion Strongarm
Conflux
Dauntless Escort
Doran, the Siege Tower
Eladamri's Call
Fight to the Death
Hellkite Overlord
Hull Breach
Jund Charm
Knight of the Reliquary
Maelstrom Nexus
Maelstrom Pulse
Meglonoth
Mirari's Wake
Mystic Enforcer
Oros, the Avenger
Pernicious Deed
Prince of Thralls
Putrefy
Rafiq of the Many
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Simic Sky Swallower
Sol'kanar the Swamp King
Spiritmonger
Sterling Grove
Teneb, the Harvester
Terminate
Vhati il-Dal
Vindicate
Vulturous Zombie
Wrexial, the Risen Deep

Dead/Gone
Fire/Ice

Acidic Slime
All Suns' Dawn
Birds of Paradise
Chameleon Colossus
Defense of the Heart
Eternal Witness
Genesis
Hermit Druid
Hibernation's End
Joiner Adept
Kodama's Reach
Krosan Tusker
Life from the Loam
Living Wish
Nantuko Vigilante
Nostalgic Dreams
Pattern of Rebirth
Prismatic Omen
Protean Hulk
Raking Canopy
Realms Uncharted
Recollect
Regrowth
Restock
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Scapeshift
Shard Convergence
Silklash Spider
Silvos, Rogue Elemental
Spike Weaver
Survival of the Fittest
Sylvan Library
Sylvan Scrying
Terastodon
Thornscape Battlemage
Tooth and Nail
Treefolk Harbinger
Wall of Blossoms
Yavimaya Elder

Akroma, Angel of Fury
Anger
Arc-slogger
Burning Wish
Flameblast Dragon
Flametounge Kavu
Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
Magmaw
Rakavolver
Recoup
Stigma Lasher
Wheel of Fortune

Academy Rector
Akroma, Angel of Wrath
Akroma's Vengeance
Balance
Commander Eesha
Crib Swap
Deathless Angel
Decree of Justice
Dismantling Blow
Elspeth, Knight-Errant
Enlightened Tutor
Eternal Dragon
Exalted Angel
Glory
Hallowed Burial
Indomitable Ancients
Land Tax
Marshal's Anthem
Martial Coup
Oblation
Orim's Thunder
Path to Exile
Pristine Angel
Reya, Dawnbringer
Rout
Spirit of the Hearth
Stoneforge Mystic
Stonehewer Giant
Swords to Plowshares
Tithe
Weathered Wayfarer
Wing Shards
Wrath of God

M11:
We talked about Primeval Titan, Sun Titan, Leyline of Anticipation, and Time Reversal. It was suggested that Time Reversal come in for Magus of the Jar. Sun Titan could replace Elspeth. It was further suggested that forbid be removed (for leyline?) and that Liliana Vess be reconsidered and Sarkan Vol be considered.

Scars:
Sunblast Angel and Genesis Wave seem to be pretty sweet. Dissipation Field seems like a lot of fun. Skithiryx is pretty cool, but probably way too black for the Essentials. Those are the things that called out at me, but I did run through the spoiler quite quickly. I'm sure I missed some good stuff. What else do you like from Scars?

Also, what are the under-performers? Some stuffs gotta come out. What hasn't been working for you guys?

[TheAbe]

It's that time again as everyone who cares has been mostly lax over the past couple sets. We almost made some ground in finishing M11, but then those darned Scars previews hit. So, first I'm going to post the current decklist. Next, I'll summarize our conversation from M11. Then I'll add the saucy stuff from Scars.

Behemoth Sledge
Black Lotus
Bosh, Iron Golem
Chrome Mox
Citanul Flute
Crucible of Worlds
Darksteel Colossus
Etched Oracle
Expedition Map
Fellwar Stone
Gilded Lotus
Lotus Bloom
Memory Jar
Mind's Eye
Mox Crystal
Mox Diamond
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Saphire
Nevinyrral's Disk
Panoptic Mirror
Scroll Rack
Sensei's Divining Top
Skullclamp
Sol Ring
Solemn Simulacrum
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sunforger
Tawnos's Coffin
Umezawa's Jitte
Vedalken Orrery

All is Dust
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre

Academy Ruins
Adarkar Wastes
Arid Mesa
Badlands
Battlefield Forge
Bayou
Bloodstained Mire
Bojuka Bog
Brushland
Caves of Kolios
City of Brass
Emeria, the Sky Ruin
Flagstones of Trokair
Flooded Strand
Forest
Grand Coliseum
Island
Karakas
Karpulsan Forest
Kor Haven
Krosan Verge
Lavaclaw Reaches
Library of Alexandria
Llanowar Reborn
Llanowar Wastes
Marsh Flats
Maze of Ith
Misty Rainforest
Mountain
Murmuring Bosk
Nimbus Maze
Plains
Plateau
Polluted Delta
Reflecting Pool
Savannah
Scalding Tarn
Scrubland
Shivan Reef
Stomping Ground
Strip Mine
Sulfurous Springs
Swamp
Taiga
Terramorphic Expanse
Tolaria West
Tropical Island
Tundra
Undergroud River
Underground Sea
Urborg
Verdant Catacombs
Vesuva
Volcanic Island
Volrath's Stronghold
Wasteland
Windswept Heath
Wooded Foothills
Yavimaya Coast
Yavimaya Hollow
Zoetic Cavern

Avatar of Woe
Bane of the Living
Contract from Below
Damnation
Decree of Pain
Demonic Collusion
Demonic Tutor
Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
Guiltfeeder
Kokusho, the Evening Star
Living Death
Mortivore
Oversold Cemetary
Recurring Nightmare
Sudden Death
Suffer the Past
Tortured Existence
Vampiric Tutor
Yawgmoth's Will

Allied Strategies
Ancestral Recall
Ancestral Vision
Arcanis the Omnipotent
Bribery
Bringer of the Blue Dawn
Compulsion
Cunning Wish
Draining Whelk
Drift of Phantasms
Fabricate
Fact or Fiction
Forbid
Future Sight
Gifts Ungiven
Intuition
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Magus of the Jar
Mystical Teachings
Mystical Tutor
Recurring Insight
Rite of Replication
Sphinx of Magosi
Stroke of Genius
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
Thada Adel, Acquisitor
Time Spiral
Time Walk
Timetwister
Tinker
Trinket Mage
Willbender
Wonder

Anathemancer
Brion Strongarm
Conflux
Dauntless Escort
Doran, the Siege Tower
Eladamri's Call
Fight to the Death
Hellkite Overlord
Hull Breach
Jund Charm
Knight of the Reliquary
Maelstrom Nexus
Maelstrom Pulse
Meglonoth
Mirari's Wake
Mystic Enforcer
Oros, the Avenger
Pernicious Deed
Prince of Thralls
Putrefy
Rafiq of the Many
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Simic Sky Swallower
Sol'kanar the Swamp King
Spiritmonger
Sterling Grove
Teneb, the Harvester
Terminate
Vhati il-Dal
Vindicate
Vulturous Zombie
Wrexial, the Risen Deep

Dead/Gone
Fire/Ice

Acidic Slime
All Suns' Dawn
Birds of Paradise
Chameleon Colossus
Defense of the Heart
Eternal Witness
Genesis
Hermit Druid
Hibernation's End
Joiner Adept
Kodama's Reach
Krosan Tusker
Life from the Loam
Living Wish
Nantuko Vigilante
Nostalgic Dreams
Pattern of Rebirth
Prismatic Omen
Protean Hulk
Raking Canopy
Realms Uncharted
Recollect
Regrowth
Restock
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Scapeshift
Shard Convergence
Silklash Spider
Silvos, Rogue Elemental
Spike Weaver
Survival of the Fittest
Sylvan Library
Sylvan Scrying
Terastodon
Thornscape Battlemage
Tooth and Nail
Treefolk Harbinger
Wall of Blossoms
Yavimaya Elder

Akroma, Angel of Fury
Anger
Arc-slogger
Burning Wish
Flameblast Dragon
Flametounge Kavu
Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs
Magmaw
Rakavolver
Recoup
Stigma Lasher
Wheel of Fortune

Academy Rector
Akroma, Angel of Wrath
Akroma's Vengeance
Balance
Commander Eesha
Crib Swap
Deathless Angel
Decree of Justice
Dismantling Blow
Elspeth, Knight-Errant
Enlightened Tutor
Eternal Dragon
Exalted Angel
Glory
Hallowed Burial
Indomitable Ancients
Land Tax
Marshal's Anthem
Martial Coup
Oblation
Orim's Thunder
Path to Exile
Pristine Angel
Reya, Dawnbringer
Rout
Spirit of the Hearth
Stoneforge Mystic
Stonehewer Giant
Swords to Plowshares
Tithe
Weathered Wayfarer
Wing Shards
Wrath of God

M11:
We talked about Primeval Titan, Sun Titan, Leyline of Anticipation, and Time Reversal. It was suggested that Time Reversal come in for Magus of the Jar. Sun Titan could replace Elspeth. It was further suggested that forbid be removed (for leyline?) and that Liliana Vess be reconsidered and Sarkan Vol be considered.

Scars:
Sunblast Angel and Genesis Wave seem to be pretty sweet. Dissipation Field seems like a lot of fun. Skithiryx is pretty cool, but probably way too black for the Essentials. Those are the things that called out at me, but I did run through the spoiler quite quickly. I'm sure I missed some good stuff. What else do you like from Scars?

Also, what are the under-performers? Some stuffs gotta come out. What hasn't been working for you guys?

The only cards in Scars I think are in the conversation of a high rarityare the Mox, Sword, and Engine, and frankly I don;t think are good enough to make the cut.

I think Skinrender is great, but probably misses out, barely.

Now, Exsanguinate? That's money. I also adore Darksteel Sentinel. I think those are money cards.

[kerbythepurplecow]

I was worried about pissing off the whole table with Exsanguinate, but I guess I was looking at it wrong. You wouldn't use it until you could at least kill off a player. You'd be in a great position coming out of it. Good stuff.

The Sentinel seems great, but he's six mana. That's a lot for a 3/3. The flash makes him really interesting though. Vigilance means he can always swing.

[kerbythepurplecow]

Having a hard time with the P.Titan spot. Oros? Teneb? C.Colossus?, Sol'Kanar, Silvos?

[cmorndorf]

OROS. He's never used. Ever.

[TheAbe]

In addition to Sword of Vengeance, we might also want to look at Nim Deathmantle. Both are amazing equipment.

I'd rather have a Sword of Vengeance out than a Behemoth Sledge (except for when I'm low in life). It's very easy to compare them side by side. Both cost three to play and three to equip.

Sledge - +2/+2,. trample, lifelink - That's great! It's a great card.
Sword of Vengeance - +2/+0. trample, first strike, haste, vigilance

Compare - both give trample, and both give two in the front. The differences:

Lifelink and 2 defense
First strike, haste, and vigilance

Is the defense as important if I have first stirke? Getting in a extra hit with my creatures by equipping them with the sword each time I play another is great. Vigilance is a great ability in multiplayer, the creature stays around. How often do you fail to attack with the Sledge creature because you need to keep it back as a blocker?

[TheAbe]

Having said that, I still think there is a place for the Sledge and perhaps the Deathmantle, in the deck.

The deck has teh following equipment:

Skullclamp - which is about drawing cards, not pumping the creature
Sword of Fire and Ice - played for the card advantage, although the abilities are nice
Umezawa's Jitte - played for the abilities
Sunforger - which is played because of the card advantage, although the pump is very nice
Behemoth Sledge


So we aren't running a lot of great equipment for the abilities (Lightning Greaves, Sword of Kaldra, Argentum Armor, and so forth) and we pulled Loxodon Warhammer too. We are literally saying that Sledge is the best equipment ever based on just the abilities it gives the creature. (I'm not sure I buy that)

Recommendations:

Leave in all of these cards above.

Pull Dead/Gone for Sword of Vengeance
(I really like it a lot, but I think it's a bit underpowered these days, especially since we aren;t seeing too many 60 card decks anymore, with their aggro-ness)

Pull Chrome Mox, Black Lotus, Lotus Bloom for Exsanguinate, Darksteel Sentinel, Primeval Titan

Pull Forbid for Leyline of Anticipation

Pull Magus of the Jar for Time Reversal

Pull Treefolk Harbinger for Genesis Wave

Pull Elspeth for either Liliana or Sarkhan Vol (do we need more Red after pulling out Dead Gone? If so, here's your Red back)

Pull Demonic Collusion for Sunblast Angel (how often are you really buying this back anyway?)

Pull Fabricate for Diabolic Tutor (Wouldn't you rather pay one more mana to tutor for anything?)

Pull Sakura-Tribe Elder for Cultivate (that may get some hate posts! STE is almost always a glorified Rampant Growth that can block once in a while before it goes. Cultivate is card advantage every single time you play it.)

Pull Doran for Sun Titan (What's Doran doing here? What does he make better? wall of Blossoms? Commander Eesha? Indomitable Ancients? Is that really enough to play?)

[TheAbe]

Did Madrush Cyclops ever make it into your deck? What happened to it?

[TheAbe]

In my opinion, the best Trinket Mage targets in the deck are:

Skullclamp
Expedition Map
Top
Mox of the right color
Sol Ring

[TheAbe]

I would pull Dauntless Escort for Madrush Cyclops too. That gives me a Red so I'm not forced to go with Sarkhan Vol over Liliana Vess for Elspeth if I don;t want to. (assuming there are just 25 Red cards. I counted and that's what I came up with but I could have missed).

Then we need to decide which of those two Planeswalkers is the better choice. I'm initially leaning towards Liliana. But I can totally see sarkhan Vol.



Edit: After looking at both, I like Sarkhan Vol just a bit more, but Liliana is a better choice if you don't like that I pulled two tutors above.