I never liked Street Wraith that much outside of Vintage and Legacy, where it can do some neat tricks on turn 1 with Bazaar or Lion's Eye Diamond.  We don't have those options here so it's less useful to me.  I prefer to just have as much stability as I can get.  That is not to say my build is correct, however.  This is just my starting point, and I'm sure a bunch of people who are better than me at Magic are working on the same problems and coming up with better solutions. 

I proxied this up for playtesting today:

11 Dredge men
4 Narcomoeba
4 Bloodghast
2 Flame-Kin Zealot
2 Shinx of Lost Truths

4 Tome Scour (I think it's absolutely imperative to do something on turn 1)
4 Burning Inquiry
4 Goblin Lore
4 Bridge from Below
3 Dread Return

4 Misty Rainforest
4 Steam Vents
4 Gemstone Mine
2 Gemstone Caverns
2 Dakmor Salvage
2 Dryad Arbor

I play a couple extra lands to help with stability and to give me extra chances to get value from Bloodghast. 

Anyhow, I played a few games with this build, simple and unrefined as it is, and it is the real deal.  Anyone unprepared for this is going to get bent over a barrel.  It wins on turn 2 at least half the time and turn 3 about 90% of the time.  Pessimist the I am, though...I don't see it being that much of a surprise and people will be prepared.  But if they're not....wow.


 

Extractor Demon     4BB

Flying

Whenever another creature leaves play, you may have target player put the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

Unearth 2B

5/5

I just thought the milling would be fun...not really fit for a competitive deck. 

Mono-color decks in ext?  What're you smoking? 

All kidding aside, Iona doesn't seem like enough.  In Legacy or Vintage you probably just name Blue 9 times in 10 and shut your opponent down, but Extended is just too wide open, colorwise.  Even Faeries plays 3-4 colors for removal.  She's a defensive card that doesn't do a very good job on defense.  It's best to focus on the strategy to make a million zombies and swarm ASAP.  The Sphinx accomplishes that, Iona doesn't. 

I was thinking Fatestitcher could tap a blocker or something...not sure why that'd ever matter, which is why I thought it won't work.  As for Dregscape Zombie, granted that he doesn't feed Bridges but sometimes you need a 3rd guy for Dread Return or just want that extra guy in the red zone.  Still, he's probably not enough.  Extractor Demon would be fun though...

Unearth is specific to Shards block and I doubt they'll bring it back so soon.  That does remind me though...we've been neglecting it up until now.  I don't know if Fatestitcher is very good in Ext, though.  No Bazaars to untap.  Maybe the 2/1 Zombie guy who Unearths for B, just as a beater or maybe as food for Dread Return.  He's probably redundant for that, though.  Narcomoeba and Bloodghast seem sufficient. 

Btw, a new card was spoiled just this evening:

Sphinx of Lost Truths      3UU
Creature - Sphinx    Rare
Kicker 1U
Flying
When Sphinx of Lost Truths enters the battlefield, draw three cards. Then if it wasn't kicked, discard three cards.
3/5

Pretty much fills the role of Cepahalid Sage, with a real body should the need arise.  Maybe a "win more" card though.  Time will tell.

The problem with testing on MTGO right now is that we don't have access to all of the cards that will actually be in the decks.  You could always proxy up some Bloodghasts but even then it won't be accurate until we get the full spoiler.  Who knows, they might give us even more tools. 

Yeah, if Dredge is unexpected early it will be awesome.  However, as soon as it establishes itself it will get hated to death...then you just have to accept it and find another deck until it goes under the radar again and then you can pick it back up. 

As for me, I'll be testing Dredge and Zoo and figure out which one I like best.  I really hope that Dredge isn't expected but if you can see it, and if I can see, I just have to assume everyone can see it. 

Yeah, I didn't foresee them printing new fetches in Zendikar, which of course changes the whole picture.  I think Zoo is probably the way to go.  That being said your list looks a bit unfocused.  I don't think Isochron Scepter goes in Zoo...you'd be better off with another burn spell or creature 99% of the time.  I bet if we thought hard enough though, we could think of another 2cc artifact to play in its place!  Also, while Treetop Village is a good card it's probably too slow for ext and it definitely doesn't help your deck which actually needs to have lands in play that have basic land types.  If you're playing for the long game, don't play Zoo.  

I can see the appeal of 5 colors, but for consistency's sake I personally would stick with RGW.  Here's a list that won a GP back in March:

Creatures
4 Kird Ape
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Wild Nacatl
4 Woolly Thoctar

Enchantments
3 Seal Of Fire

Instants
2 Incinerate
4 Lightning Helix
4 Path To Exile

Legendary Artifacts
2 Umezawa's Jitte

Legendary Creatures
3 Gaddock Teeg
1 Isamaru, Hound Of Konda

Basic Lands
1 Forest
1 Mountain
1 Plains

Lands
4 Bloodstained Mire
2 Sacred Foundry
3 Stomping Ground
1 Temple Garden
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills

SB is irrelevant, but the main deck should stay about the same with the exception of adding Lightning Bolt (and the new fetches).  Probably just switch out the 4 Paths or 2 Path/2 Incinerate for Bolts and go to town.  I'm partial to burn in an aggro deck but I can see a possibility for needing Path.  EDIT: Also, Mogg Fanatic.  Still a good card, not sure if it's good enough.  Not exactly sure what to replace him with.  Probably Savannah Lions or or another dumb 2 power 1 drop.  Maybe that new 2/2 haste goblin, if his drawback doesn't turn out to be too much.  Lastly, Gaddock Teeg.  If I'm not mistaken, he was was there to handle storm combo.  Except for Dragonstorm, that archetype is dead, so I don't know that he's needed.  At the same mana cost you have Quasali Pridemage, who has the same body and still packs all kinds of utility, or you can go more aggressive with Keldon Marauders. 

If you're partial to Domain Zoo, the reasons to do so are Dark Confidant and Tidehollow Sculler, with Tribal Flames as an added bonus.  I can't comment too much about that because I have not played it, but it just seems to me that it makes the mana a bit more shaky for not too much benefit (definite loss of speed for uncertain gain in card advantage).  Again, all based on opinion.

Funny how one spoiled card can make us talk about Zoo in a Dredge thread.

First, this is confirmed in Zendikar:

Bloodghast             BB
Creature - Vampire Spirit    Rare
Bloodghast can't block.
Bloodghast has haste as long as an opponent has 10 life or less.
Landfall - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, you may return Bloodghast from your graveyard to the battlefield.
2/1

He's at the very least Narcomoeba 5-8, with a lot more upside.  I'd think about tossing in a Dakmor Salvage or two into the list just to ensure you can always get them out, though that may be too cute.

Next, while Magus' effect is powerful, he is too slow and fragile to make much of an impact most games.  For the same cmc Oona's Prowler is a better discard outlet. Even if you lose the potency of Bazaar you will always be able to discard your dredgers, Bridges, Dread Returns and Dread Return targets to it.  For similar reasons I'm not too impressed with Bonded Fetch.  Sure, it's got haste but it's active on turn 3 just like Magus, and at this point you should be ready to win. 

I'd keep Tome Scour for now (haven't tested it but it seems like a strong early play on its face), and I'd supplement it with Burning Inquiry.  I wouldn't concern myself with the symmetry or the random discard...Dredge 3 cards is all we're concerned with.  Resolve this and you probably win on the spot. 

I'm not sure if the deck should have Chrome Moxes and/or SSG in it.  I'm not against a little acceleration but I think the next Extended environment will be fairly control oriented, as with the loss of fetchlands Zoo will be weakened and the format will slow by a turn or two.  Early on you probably won't even see much hate for the deck, and even Mogg Fanatic will see less play to rfg your Bridges thanks to the new rules. 

All this being taken into account, lets start with a stock list:

12 Dredgers (Stinky, Grave-Troll, Thug)
4 Narcomoeba
4 Bloodghast
4 Oona's Prowler
1 Fatty Dread Return Target (Akroma/Hellkite Overlord/some other bomb depending on the metagame)
2 Flamekin Zealot (3 if you play without a fatty)
27 Creatures

4 Tome Scour
4 Burning Inquiry
4 Bridge from Below
3 Dread Return
15 Spells

4 Gemstone Mine
4 City of Brass
4 Tendo Ice Bridge
2-4 Gemstone Caverns
2 Dakmor Salvage
0-2 Dryad Arbor

SB depending on a meta we can't really foresee at the moment, and of course the list has a lot of holes and needs testing and tweaking...it's just a working model to get started with.  I think the thing that we'll miss Therapy most of all, to be honest.  It was such a good way to clear the way for Dread Return on top of being a convenient sac outlet...but this is what we have to work with and I'm confident that we can tune this into a competitive deck.

His name is Jason Aken, from the Carbondale, IL area.  He's kind of a Vintage noob, but he's one of the top L5R players in the world.

I look forward to seeing you guys there.   

Ancestral Recall Tournament

When:
Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Registration begins at 11:30
Tournament will begin around 12:00

Where:
University Mall Food Court
1237 East Main
Carbondale, IL 62901
The food court entrance is in the back lot of the mall, just past the movie theater entrance. Call me if you're having trouble finding it.

Format:
Vintage, unlimited proxies*

Cost:
$25

Prizes:
Based on attendance
100% of proceeds will be paid out in prizes
8-16: Unlimited Ancestral Recall to 1st (Guaranteed)
16+: $25 worth of cards will be added to the prize pool for each entrant beyond the 16th.

Notes:
For any questions, directions, if you're running late, etc.; contact me (Anthony Fox) at akfoxsiu@yahoo.com or 618-303-3601 (cell) or 618-457-8819 (home).

*While there are no hard and fast rules about proxies (except no slips of paper in sleeves), try to make them easily legible. Use common sense. It is perfectly acceptable to alter preexisting cards w/ similar characteristics to make another card, but if you don't have the ability or tools to do it properly, please use a sharpie on a revised plains.

4x Black Vise may be too much, but whatever number you settle on is still a better/faster win condition than Chronatog. 

You'd probably be better off playing U/G and using Root Maze to bring your opponents lands and artifacts into play tapped.  I don't think you'll ever get Frozen Aether into play on time.

We get about 16ish on average.  It's too bad you can't come but I understand 10 hours is a lot of driving for a (at most) 8 round tournament. 

There is a Timetwister tournament on April 5th that is taking place as part of a convention which will last from Fri-Sun of that week.  It may be more worthwhile for you to make that one.  I posted about it somewhere else in these forums if you want more information.

Thanks,
Anthony Fox

Mox Ruby Tournament

When:
May 4, 2008
Registration begins at 12:30
Tournament will begin around 1:00

Where:
SIUC Student Center
1st Floor, Food Court
1255 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901

Format:
Vintage, 15 proxies

Cost:
$25

Prizes:
Based on attendance
100% of proceeds will be paid out in prizes
8-12: Unlimited Mox Ruby to 1st (Guaranteed)
13+: $25 worth of cards will be added to the prize pool for each entrant beyond the 12th.
30+: If we get 30 or more people to attend, the Mox Ruby can be replaced by an Unlimited Black Lotus, if attendees wish (additional prizes would then be provided for each entrant beyond the 30th). I'd require some sort of super-majority if this were to happen.

Notes:
For any questions, directions, if you're running late, etc.; contact me (Anthony Fox) at akfoxsiu@yahoo.com or 618-303-3601 (cell) or 618-457-8819 (home).

Timetwister tournament

When:
Saturday, April 5th
Tournament will begin around 9am

Where:
SIUC Student Center
1255 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901

Format:
Vintage, 15 proxies

Cost:
$10 for the Tournament, + registration to the convention (see below)

Prizes:
Based on attendance
100% of proceeds will be paid out in prizes
8-15: Unlimited Timetwister to 1st (Guaranteed)
16+: $10 worth of prizes will be added to the prize pool for each entrant beyond the 15th.  I'll have some good stuff to choose from.
30+: If we get 30 or more people to attend, the Timetwister can be replaced by an Unlimited Mox, if attendees wish (additional prizes would then be provided for each entrant beyond the 30th). I'd require some sort of super-majority if this were to happen.

This tournament is a bit different, as it is being held as an event during a gaming convention (Egyptian Campaigns).  As such I don't know exactly where in the student center it is being held yet, but I'll update this when I find out.  A general admission badge is something like $20, but you can get a badge just for Magic for $2 plus admission fees to each separate tournament.  More information about the convention can be found at:

http://z10.invisionfree.com/So_Illinois_Magic/index.php?showtopic=1201
and
http://z10.invisionfree.com/So_Illinois_Magic/index.php?showtopic=1206

I hope to see you there!

For questions, directions, if you're running late, etc.; contact me (Anthony Fox) at akfoxsiu@yahoo.com or 618-303-3601 (cell).

We had 16 people attend, for 4 rounds of Swiss with a cut to Top 8.  Here are the results with lists (if available):

*1st Place*
GroA'Goyf--Colin Wu
Colin's decklist is not available at this time.


*2nd Place*
Gob-Lines--Mike Thiel
Mike's decklist is not available at this time.


*3rd/4th Place*
Baghdad Bob--Robert Vroman

CREATURES (17):
4x Dark Confidant
4x Grim Lavamancer
4x Jotun Grunt
3x Mogg Fanatic
2x Gorilla Shaman

SPELLS (17):
4x Extirpate
4x Thoughtseize
4x Swords to Plowshares
2x Duress
1x Demonic Consultation
1x Vampiric Tutor
1x Balance

ARTIFACTS (7):
1x Black Lotus
1x Chrome Mox
1x Lotus Petal
1x Mox Diamond
1x Mox Jet
1x Mox Pearl
1x Mox Ruby

LAND (20):
4x Bazaar of Baghdad
4x Bloodstained Mire
4x Mishra's Factory
3x Badlands
1x Plateau
1x Riftstone Portal
1x Scrubland
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1x Volrath's Stronghold

SIDEBOARD (15):
4x Sudden Shock
4x Hide/Seek
4x Thorn of Amethyst
3x Viashino Heretic


*3rd/4th Place*
GroA'Tog--Jason Aken

CREATURES (5):
4x Quirion Dryad
1x Psychatog

SPELLS (34):
4x Duress
4x Brainstorm
4x Force of Will
4x Gush
4x Mana Drain
3x Merchant Scroll
2x Disrupt
2x Misdirection
1x Demonic Tutor
1x Vampiric Tutor
1x Yawgmoth's Will
1x Ancestral Recall
1x Cunning Wish
1x Mystical Tutor
1x Time Walk

ENCHANTMENTS (1):
1x Fastbond

ARTIFACTS (6):
1x Black Lotus
1x Mox Emerald
1x Mox Jet
1x Mox Pearl
1x Mox Ruby
1x Mox Sapphire

LAND (14):
4x Polluted Delta
2x Flooded Strand
2x Tropical Island
2x Underground Sea
1x Library of Alexandria
1x Volcanic Island
1x Island
1x Snow-Covered Island

SIDEBOARD (15):
4x Yixlid Jailer
2x Smother
1x Snuff Out
1x Echoing Truth
1x Hurkyl's Recall
1x Tinker
1x Berserk
1x Pyroblast
1x Rack & Ruin
1x Red Elemental Blast
1x Platinum Angel



*5th--8th Place*
Tyrant Oath--Anthony Fox
3   Oath of Druids
4   Chalice of the Void
1   Engineered Explosives
8   Artifacts & Enchantments
   
2   Tidespout Tyrant
1   Eternal Witness
3   Creatures
   
4   Force of Will
3   Mana Leak
2   Misdirection
4   Brainstorm
1   Ancestral Recall
1   Vampiric Tutor
1       Flash of Insight
1   Rushing River
16   Instants

1   Gaea's Blessing
1   Time Walk
1   Demonic Tutor
4   Duress
1   Life from the Loam
8   Sorceries

1   Black Lotus
5   Moxes
2   Polluted Delta
2   Flooded Strand
2   Underground Sea
2   Tropical Island
1   Island
4   Forbidden Orchard
2   Wasteland
1   Strip Mine
2   Mishra's Factory
24   Mana

   Sideboard
1   Oath of Druids
1   Tinker
2   Simic Sky-Swallower
4   Leyline of the Void
1   Trickbind
2   Mishra's Factory
2   Massacre
1   Platinum Angel
1       Oxidize

*5th--8th Place*
Angel Oath--Kyle Scerena
Kyle's decklist is not available at this time.


*5th--8th Place*
Angel Oath--Allan Cavaness
Allan's decklist is not available at this time.


*5th--8th Place*
Mamma Jamma Shaggro--Ron Zaragossa

CREATURES (21):
4x Goblin Welder
4x Juggernaut
4x Solemn Simulacrum
3x Magus of the Moon
3x Arcbound Ravager
2x Gorilla Shaman
1x Triskelion

ARTIFACTS (20):
4x Spehere of Resistance
3x Sword of Fire & Ice
3x Thorn of Amethyst
1x Black Lotus
1x Mana Crypt
1x Mana Vault
1x Mox Emerald
1x Mox Jet
1x Mox Pearl
1x Mox Ruby
1x Mox Sapphire
1x Sol Ring
1x Trinisphere

LAND (19):
4x Mishra's Workshop
4x Wasteland
1x Bazaar of Baghdad
1x Strip Mine
1x Tolarian Academy
8x Mountain

SIDEBOARD (15):
4x Leyline of the Void
4x Chalice of the Void
3x Shattering Spree
3x Tormod's Crypt
1x Duplicant

Flash and Ichorid (surprisingly) were unrepresented. 

I forgot to pick up all the lists from the Judge before I left, so I'll fill in the blanks when I get them from him.  As for me, I was #1 seed after the Swiss (3-0-1), and lost in the Top 8 to what my opponent (Colin Wu) told me was a terrible match-up for him.  Which is pretty typical for me, at any rate.  Still, I had a good time and I will be holding another Mox tournament next year, probably the first Sunday of February.

The only changes I would make to my deck would be:
Main Deck
-1 Et. Witness, -1 Flash of Insight, -1 Rushing River, +1 Platinum Angel, +1 Tinker, +1 Wipe Away
and Sideboard
-1 Tinker, -1 Platinum Angel, -1 Oxidize, +1 Echoing Truth, +1 Life from the Loam, +1 Trickbind

I'm just bumping this up to remind everyone that this is happening within a month.  I hope to see some of you there!

EDIT:  This tournament has been rescheduled to November 4th due to conflicting schedules within my playgroup, and instead of a Mox Pearl, the prize will be an Unl Mox Jet.

Mox Jet Tournament

When:
Nov 4, 2007
Registration begins at 12:30
Tournament will begin around 1:00

Where:
SIUC Student Center
1st Floor, Food Court
1255 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901

Format:
Vintage, 15 proxies

Cost:
$25

Prizes:
Based on attendance
100% of proceeds will be paid out in prizes
8-12: Unlimited Mox Jet to 1st (Guaranteed)
13+: $25 worth of cards will be added to the prize pool for each entrant beyond the 12th. Most likely these will be blue duals, but I will have some other cool stuff available.
30+: If we get 30 or more people to attend, the Mox Jet will be replaced by an Unlimited Black Lotus, if attendees wish (additional prizes would then be provided for each entrant beyond the 30th). I'd require some sort of super-majority if this were to happen.

Notes:
For any questions, directions, if you're running late, etc.; contact me (Anthony Fox) at akfoxsiu@yahoo.com or
618-303-3601 (cell).

Soylent Green is akfox!

Juzam was previewed this morning.

I speculate that this will bring Classic more in line with Legacy, as I can't see them making Power 9, Bazaars, Shops, or LoA available online.  That being said, I hope that they put the duals in here.  IF they're going to try to get Legacy going on MTGO, they really need them.  The Rav duals are a close substitute, but 2-4 damage a game, though subtle, could actually be format warping. 

It wasn't really PSA 10 alpha, it was unlimited and played.  I posted this first on my local boards and was just messing around.  I forgot to change it when I cut/pasted here. 
Sorry for the confusion.

1st Place, Unl Mox Pearl
Michelle Burgess
Little Red Men

4 Goblin Lackey
4 Goblin Warchief
4 Skirk Prospector
4 Goblin Matron
4 Goblin Piledriver
4 Goblin Ringleader
4 Goblin Recruiter
1 Gempalm Incinerator
4 Empty the Warrens
4 Rite of Flame
2 Seething Song

1 Black Lotus
1 Mox Ruby
1 Chrome Mox
10 Mountain
4 Wasteland
1 Strip Mine
3 Barbarian Ring

SB
4 Leyline of the Void (hereafter LotV)
4 Null Rod
2 Patron of the Akki
4 Pyrostatic Pillar
1 Gempalm Incinerator

2nd Place, EX Alpha Demonic Tutor
Aaron McLean
Pitch Long
(in no particular order...)
1 Ancestral Recall
4 Brainstorm
3 Cabal Ritual
4 Dark Ritual
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Cruel Bargain
1 Demonic Tooter
4 Force of Will
3 Grim Tooter
1 Mind's Desire
2 Misdirection
1 Mystical Tooter
1 Rebuild
2 Tendrils of Agony
1 Timetwister
1 Tinker
1 Vampiric Tooter
1 Wheel of Fortune
1 Windfall
1 Yawgmoth's Will
1 Necropotence
1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
1 Memory Jar

1 Black Lotus
5 Moxes
1 Lotus Petal
1 Mana Crypt
1 Sol Ring
1 Badlands
1 Bloodstained Mire
2 Flooded Strand
1 Mana Vault
1 Island
3 Polluted Delta
1 Swamp
1 Tolarian Academy
2 Underground Sea

SB
2 Thrashing Whup-Ass
3 Xantid Swarm
1 Chain of Vapor
1 Hurkyl's Recall
2 Empty the Warrens
4 LotV
1 Bayou
1 Tropical Island

3-4th
Kyle Scerena
I hereby swear (or affirm)

4 Forbidden Orchard
2 City of Brass
4 Wasteland
4 Polluted Delta
1 Strip Mine
2 Island
2 Underground Sea
2 Tropical Island
1 Black Lotus
5 Moxes

4 Oath of Druids
1 Akroma, Angel of Wrath
1 Razia, Boros Archangel
1 Gaea's Blessing
3 Impulse
4 Brainstorm
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Mystical Tutor
4 Force of Will
4 Duress
2 LotV
1 Time Walk
2 Sensei's Divining Top
2 Chalice of the Void (CotV)
1 Crop Rotation
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Demonic Tutor

SB
1 Balance
1 Darksteel Colossus
1 Tinker
2 LftL
1 Triskelion
2 Massacre
4 Oxidize
2 Stifle
1 LotV

3-4th
Jim Erlinger
(Leyline) Answerless Ichorid

4 Serum Powder
4 Bazaar of Baghdad
4 Petrified Field
2 Mishra's Factor
4 CotV
4 LotV
4 Unmask
4 Cabal Therapy
4 Ichorid
4 Nether Shadow
4 Stinky Imp
4 Golgari Grave-Troll
4 Golgari Thug
4 Shambling Shell
2 Yosei
4 Dread Return

SB
3 Riftstone Portal
4 Pithing Needle
4 Ancient Grudge
4 Sickening Shoal

I'd like to thank everyone who came.  12 people showed overall, including 3 people show up from Terryville and 3 from the St. Louis crowd. I guess it was a bad day for people to come, due to circumstances beyond anyone's control (prom, follies, finals, graduation, etc.). At least half a dozen more would have showed except for prior commitments. Nonetheless, good times were had by all.
The next tournament will be held early during the Fall semester, since the Student Center at SIU is closed on weekends during the summer and the only other venue, the mall food court, is only open from 12-530pm on weekends. 

I just wanted to notify everyone of some changes to the prize payout.  1st and 2nd are unchanged, but 3rd and 4th will be an Alpha Demonic Tutor (EX) and FBB Plateau (NM) rather than packs of Italian Legends. 

I am expecting the Tutor in the mail this week, but if for some reason it doesn't show, I will provide a card of equal value in its place.

Hope to see you on Saturday.

Just one month to go!! !