The difference between Brainfreeze (storm) and Grindstone is that Brainfreeze gets "copied" for each cast spell that turn. Grindstone repeats the process (string) if both cards share 1 color. This means that a Gaea's Blessing stuck in a Grindstone will get milled untilll the deck is in the graveyard, if you then T-Crypt the graveyard the Blessing will get removed before it resolves.

This decision took place in my match versus the Imperial Painter, after that I sided the Blessings out.

Bolt Painter, as a reaction Grind the deck and then T-Crypt it while the deck is on the stack on its way to the grave. Then the Painter dies.

I'd like to know what you played (of course) and more importantly what kind of results you achieved!!

It's cool to see people picking this up. I'll try Necro/Consultation a couple of times as well.

In this setup of the deck it's a combo with 2 1-off's. Completely expendable, but Manavault + Key nets 4 mana with Brass/Mine on first turn. The only advantage is that you can cast Painter/Grindstone that way, but it can be done without the key as well, you could cast the key 2nd turn and win then.

The Manavault/Dark Ritual/Black Lotus/LeD/Crypt+Mox/Crypt+Sol Ring to provide the 3 mana to activate the Grindstone first turn. I took out the Monolith because it costs 2, same with the Channel.

On another note, when you have a Key you will tutor for the Time Vault and not the Manavault/Monolith. Painter/Grindstone/Time Vault/Key are the main focus of the deck. Along with Tinker and Helm+Leyline it feels more solid.

Great to see you like it! Yeah I really feel that Helm is a great addition to this deck since it provides a second kill. Tinkering for the Helm is a good thing to have.

About the justification for Monolith vs LeD:

LeD kills on first turn:

Workshop, Painter/Grindstone, LeD = Game! (and yes I've had that happen several times during playtesting)

I've had Monolith maindeck but never got the combo with the key. Too bad my playtesting partners are unavailable, I like to try these mods out.

Tnx Liiva for replying. Getting rid of artifacts/enchantments is very desirable, hence the sideboard. I was thinking Crumble as well but Nature's Claim is better.

I've playtested with Academy and Ancestrall but they were more a liability than helpful. Probably due to limited matchups during playtesting as I never expected Oath or mass goblins.

If I think in long-term play (turn 3 and beyond) with this deck, it's really random. So it does need some draw engine (Ancestrall, etc..) next to the Time Vault + Key combo.

Null Rod kills indeed, just like Pithing Needle . Artifact destruction is needed. Painter + Elemental Blast would do that trick as well.

I'll re-add the Tolarian Academy and matchup a deck that uses FoW/artifacts and see how it goes.

Thanks for the advice!

Grim Monolith/Manavault + Voltaic Key combo is one I've never used in this deck. But it is true. My pick for the Mox Diamond was that I didn't want to run on black/white spells in my hand and a green/red/blue mox on the table.

I'll test it tomorrow with a Monolith and perhaps one extra key + Moxen. Along with Helm/Tinker. I'll see what I can come up with.

Tnx.

@honestabe:

REB vs blue in combination with Painter is very desirable indeed. I'd say that would be a good one for the sideboard instead of Disenchant.

You also say Mox Diamond is bad, do you have a replacement for me?

@meadbert:

I'm assuming you mean Helm of Obedience. This is very good. I like that as a second kill if the Grindstone hits Pithing Needle or smthn.

@Doomsday:

Tinker + Helm of Obedience? Sounds like a very viable combo.

These are the improvements I was hoping for. Keep em coming!!! Tnx guys!

Hi guys,

I'm new here after a long while of being absent in the world of MtG I decided to attend a Vintage tournament with a homebrew Painter variation of mine. I made a couple of technical errors which have costed me 2 games otherwise I could have gone 5/6 easily.

I was reading some articles here and there and designed a Painter/Grindstone of my own. It's a hybrid of sorts and took quite a few people by surprise that tournament. I call it "Turbo Painter" since it's a lot faster (1st turn mill) than the other versions I've seen which focus on control/permission.

Here's the Decklist:

Lands 20:

4x Mishra's Workshop
4x Gemstone Mine
4x City of Brass
4x City of Traitors
4x Ancient Tomb

Spells (artifacts) 26:

1x Black Lotus
1x Mox Jet
1x Mox Pearl
4x Mox Diamond
1x Mana Crypt
1x Manavault
1x Sol Ring
1x Lotus Petal
1x Lion's Eye Diamond
4x Grindstone
4x Painter's Servant
1x Time Vault
1x Voltaic Key
4x Serum Powder

Spells (rest)

4x Enlightened Tutor
4x Dark Ritual
1x Demonic Tutor
1x Vampiric Tutor
1x Imperial Seal
3x Leyline of the Void

Sideboard:

4x Chalice of the Void
4x Disenchant
4x Duress
3x Raven's Crime (lots of land in this deck)

This is what I have so far after a tournament tweak. I took out 4 Pact of Negation (I borrowed those) and I had 1 Enlightened Tutor less maindeck. I sideboarded quite a bit for disruption so that was a good choice. I beat a Pro Tour Storm deck, a Goblin deck, another Painter variant I've never seen with Goblins in it and Gamble, lost to a FoW/Goyf deck (Tempothresh?), lost to an Oath deck with several playing errors 1-2 and a deck with Remora/Top.

It's very straightforward. Mostly because I've been out of the game for a bit (all those errata...). It goes for a brute first turn mill. Something like this:

Mishra's Workshop, Painter's Servant, Grindstone, Black Lotus/LeD/Mox Petal + Dark Ritual/Mox + Mana Crypt/Mox + Manavault. If you have half a combo + tutor then it's 2nd turn. Serum Powder lets you refresh your hand better and Time Vault/Key boosts the deck for 2 mana less activation than Painter/Grindstone.

I'd like to know if any of you guys have suggestions for this list. I know it's Duress/FoW sensitive already. But a 1st turn mill is a lovely sight from my point of view. Perhaps a Balance or StP in addition to the side could be handy. City of Brass could be switched to Scrubland as I only have black and white to play with.

Any feedback/suggestions are very welcome!

Peace out!

Charles.