I didn't mean type 2 bad aggro. I was talking about the types of decks you should win, but still, if you're not careful, will sometimes take you by suprise. For example Sligh, Suicide, and yes, Madness, can all put you on a fast clock and sometimes it is all it takes. They lack the Fish disruption suit that is effective against powered decks, but beat can all day Fish simply by having bigger creatures on the table faster.

But to be honest, there are also always some players playing with their extended or actual type two decks, just to hang around and see what this vintage is about.

Perhaps the reason for assumption that Europe is swarmed with bad aggro decks is that we (at least in my neck of the woods) have less proxy events. Most of the time we don't get ten proxies so unpowered players need to play with what they have, mostly meaning budget aggro strategies. And before someone starts running their mouth on how our meta must then suck, I respond that it is much harder, and much more fun, to play against competent budget player than 10-proxy netdeckker.

Hello all,

I have been playing UG fish for some time now, trying out different builds and cards to find a configuration that suits me best. I started with a list similar to the one above, but have since taken another direction, which I haven't yet been able to test throughout, but so far has been working out great.

First thing I dropped were Vials. They always seemed better on paper than in action. I'm much happier dropping a creature first turn, followed by second turn Ninja. Vial sets this back a turn. Dropping creatures under counters only makes a difference against drain decks, and my meta is not full of them. Vials are also terrible to draw midgame. I have added Flying Men to replace them and to enable fast Ninjas. Playing without Vials I need to tap out more often, therefore I have added two Misdirections to my list.

Second thing I got rid of were the Chalices and Jittes. The only number you can set Chalice is zero, and playing in non-proxy environment it's a dead card in half the games playing against non-powered decks. It's just not worth having four dead cards in half the games, when in the other half it's only good when dropped early enough. Jitte is good, but costs four to get active. Against other beat down decks it would be excellent, but then in half the matches it's just too slow or doesn't do enough. I do still have them in my sideboard.

The biggest change I have made is splashing black for Cabal Therapies. With adding a third colour I also removed Mishra's Factories, nine gray lands in three colour deck is just asking for trouble. The biggest reasons for this splash were Dazes. Daze just isn't good. Any better player can easily play around them and sometimes when you could hit something with it setting back a land hurts you more than countering a bait spell. First I had Duresses splashed, but therapy is more powerful. With the Flying Men and Rootwallas you have cheap flashback if needed, and following Remand with Therapy is sometimes a cantrip Time Walk. With Bouncers, and two Echoing Truths I'm playing, you can guarantee yourself a hit with Therapy. The black splash also opens up sideboard options against Oath with Edicts.

Another reason for the splash is two Skeletal Scryings. It is the best draw spell I could find for this deck and so far two has been the correct number. Drawing three cards at instant speed is good, refilling your hand after dropping a Mongrel and forcing a spell. I'm also playing Gush. It combined with Scrying you have the ability to make Mongrel lethal almost out of the blue. Flashbacking Therapy beforehand you don't need to throw the game away by going all in.

As for the new cards, I really like Coiling Oracle, but I have a feeling it's not strong enough. I have better things to do on turn two. Perhaps I'll test it someday, but first I want to try Trygon Predator out. The ability is strong, but so is the casting cost. The card has potential, but that's all I can say for it right now.

I might have posted my deck list, but I'm not currently home and I don't want to make a mistake should I not remember it correctly by heart.

Hello,

I've been an active reader here for a while, this being my first post, so Hello to all.

I just recently was asking the same question in Star City forums. I'm registered with the same name there, in case you want to look the thread up.

I've been playing magic for about three years now. I started with just casual play, after wanting to play more seriously I then played mostly standard. About a year ago I gave Vintage a try, got sucked more and more into the format, and now it's the only format for me.

After deciding that I want to invest to the format I also was asking the question where to start. After discussing in the forums and local Vintage players I sold almost all of my T2/ Ext stuff and bought Sapphire and Ancestrall.

I couldn't be happier with the decision. First I thought that a single piece of power will do me no good, and was thinking of getting either Drains or Bazaars. But the thing is, with either one you are locked into playing Drain or Bazaar decks. I realise that Ancestral and a single Mox won't really open that much possibilities, but they really give you an edge against other budget decks. If you are playing unpowered Drain deck I can imagine you are going to have rough time against fish strategies.

One by one when you purchase more power new stategies will naturally open up to you. After you have your set of power you have way more options on what deck to build.

If you are only getting one card I strongly advise getting Ancestral Recall. I just is that good.

Now comes a disclaimer type of thing: If you have a lot of proxy events then you maybe better off with something else, but if you play more sanctioned events, like I do, get the Recall.