Wow, R and D gives Vintage a break! This card is great in every format, and the single disadvantage to running it is too minor. I mean, misdirection is only one card. This card is duress... on CRACK. And speed. and crystal meth. And.... *ends list of exaggeration before moderators disembowel*.

I am actually playing the Green build as a semi-casual deck (semi!!!), but I do want to see U/W/g Fish and B/G/w Rock. Maybe I'll make a thread for them later....

U/W/g will, in my opinion, take a big boost, though, because he does lock some threats down. I would like to test him in R/W/g TMWA and B/G/w the Rock (it would be funny to see!)

Infinite PYROMATICS, derr.... I mean, it's uncounterable (replicate) and will win you the game. Why didn't anyone say this before?

Well, I don't ACTUALLY own any power/workshops, but here's my twelve-proxy build. It's based on Raymond Robillard's Staxless Stax deck. Have a looksie (I know, I know, no Balance, but I just didn't have enough space).

Land:
1 Strip Mine
3 Wasteland
1 Barbarian Ring
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Mishra's Workshop
4 City of Brass
2 Gemstone Mine

Creatures:
4 Aven Mindcensor (Switchable for Glowrider) (No Gushes for you!!!)
4 Goblin Welder (Need I say more)
1 Triskelion (Messes with Flash)
1 Gorilla Shaman (Most Stax lists run at least one...)
1 Platinum Angel (Switchable for Sundering Titan) (Out vs. Flash and Fish, and Ichorid, and....)

Artifacts:
4 Sphere of Resistance
3 Crucible of Worlds
2 Powder Keg (Screws with the few Ichorid builds, and with the fact that every Flash build runs Sliver kill)
2 Sensei's Divining Top
2 Chalice of the Void
1 Memory Jar
1 Trinisphere
1 Mana Vault
1 Sol Ring
1 Mana Crypt
5 Moxen
1 Black Lotus (Hmmmm.... no idea why THIS would be in here, eh?)

Other:
3 Thirst for Knowledge (To dump arties for Welder)
1 Time Walk
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Tinker
1 Crop Rotation (Fetch lands that you need)
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Demonic Tutor

Sideboard:
4 Leyline of the Void
3 Pyroblast
3 Disenchant
2 Chalice of the Void
1 Powder Keg
1 Jester's Cap
1 Triskelion

Because my entire friggin' meta is G-A-T with a splash of Flash, I decided that this would be good enough to play. I would like to fit Balance in there, but as I said, just not enough space at the moment. Suggestions?
-Kataki

I know. The problem is that there are also some people who object to proxies and won't let you use them. I will play proxies at tournaments, but this is just a non-powered version to work off. I am completely aware that proxying is there for a good reason.

Hokay, so it's been a while since I was here. Anyways, what I really wanted to say is that Suicide (combo) Black just top-eighted at the World Championship. This is my version, which is not better in any way. Please be reminded that the Death Wishes, lack of power, and Lotus Petal, aren't because I'm a bad player, but, unfortunately, I don't HAVE the dollares to fork out for lotuses. In terms of proxying, I am allowed, but prefer not to. A note on my meta is a little bit of everything, except I'm the only one playing TMWA. There is a lot of Flash (w/ Sliver kill), GAT (duh), and although not popular, Stax is still a force to be reckoned with. Here's the list:

Land: (17)
15 Swamp/Black Fetches
1 Cabal Pit
1 Strip Mine


Creatures:
4 Dark Confidant. Yeah, that's it. Rather high amounta creatures, huh?

Disruption: (12)
4 Pact of Negation
4 Duress
4 Cabal Therapy

Accel: (10)
4 Dark Ritual
4 Cabal Ritual
1 Lion's Eye Diamond (Play it with a Yawg Will on the stack)
1 Lotus Petal

Win: (15)
1 Demonic Consultation
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
1 Necropotence
4 Death Wish
1 Memory Jar
3 Night's Whisper
1 Massacre
3 Tendril's of Agony

Board: (15, duh)
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Ill-Gotten Gains
1 Yawgmoth's Will
3 Null Rod
1 Darkblast
1 Massacre
1 Tendril's of Agony

OK, rip it apart, folks.
-Kataki

Yup, you're right. However, I am still in the works (remember, this is still being thought through. The event will be held in an air-conditioned place, most likely a Boys and Girls club gym, if you have them in the States). Second, prizes are being determined, but here's what I have right now:

1st: Bazaar of Baghdad
2nd: Mana Drain
3rd: Beta Sinkhole
4th: Tropical Island
5th: Fat Pack of Xth
6th: Force of Will
7th: Fat Pack of Tenth
8th: Wheel of Fortune and Sol Ring
9th (because I feel sorry for him): Spirit of the Night (bad condition, though. Yes, I know it LOOKS like a n00b fattie, however, that player will now be blessed with the ability to make 3-fattie Oath)

Second, where can I acquire the DCI software? I know it's probably one of these corporate secrets thingies, but, heck, I have very little to work with here, eh. I see what you said about location; once again it's TBA. I like what you have to say about getting space and software from other experienced TO's, so I'll say to all Toronto/Hamilton area players to look up Dueling Grounds, once again, I don't know if I can get space there, but that would be my first choice in this situation. There WILL be a (probably) Level 1 judge, or myself, acting upon my own behalf as a pseudo Level 0 (and, yes, I will print out the rules insert on banding, lol, and Chains of Mephistopheles, which is not so funny). Oh, and about cost, that is being decided; however, if people want to come, I'll do this, otherwise I will be the proud owner of a Beta Sinkhole.
-Kataki

The scoring system is weird; I more or less invented it because, even though I've played in about 30 DCI tournaments, I still don't understand their system, and don't have a computer. I will have to do them by hand, maybe differently. Anyways, if you're interested (which would be nice) this is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sounds like you're in the Midwest, but it's good that you're interested. Anyways, I'm buying a Beta Sinkhole for 3rd place today, so enjoy!

Fair enough, my mod friend! I know, this sort of thing degenerates into insults all the time on YouTube, sol I'll just say did anyone here like it? Would you recommend it? As I said, I'm in Canada, and it will require more time and effort to find the film, so I just was wondering whether it was worth it.
-Kataki

Awesome! Liberal mtg players! Seriously, I'm in Toronto (ok, Canada, where health care is free), and I don't know where it's laying. Can you tell me about some of it? Oh, BTW, Michael Moore doesn't give "both sides of the story", because he's saying what is correct. People who lose a family member under the knife shouldn't have to have to PAY for it as well!!!

Hmm, a moderator replied! Excellent, and I bow to you for the advice .

OK: Here's what I have until I post on the TO thread:

CHARITY VINTAGE TOURNAMENT:

This tournament will be held in early to middle August. It will be open at 10, the tourney begins at 11:30, and will go to 8:30-10:00 at night based upon attendance.

This tournament's location will be announced shortly.
T
he prize structure will constitute prizes for the Top Eight (who will also have play off), and a prize for the 9th-placed contestant.

FORMAT: Type 1, with 15 proxies legal, and $1 for each proxy in addition to 15, no maximum. $20-$25 entry, depending on the popularity of the event. 4 rounds of Swiss followed up by Top Eight pairings and playoffs.

POINTS: You get 3 points for winning 3-0, you get 2 for winning 2-1, and 1 point for loosing. You get one tie-breaker each time you win 2-1 (you're less likely to Top
Eight anyways, so we'll give you a better chance).

Promotions: The first person to show up gets a pack of Leggende (Italian Legends)! If you pre-register, your name will be put in a raffle for another pack of Italian Legends.

Administration: This event is player run, aka, we are a forgiving bunch! No man thrown out for forgetting how Chains of Mephistopheles works! That said, a judge will be procured for rules disputes. I myself am quite young, but I will still manage.

Other: Lunch is for 1 hour after the end of round 1. If you want, please leave $5 or so at the front desk when you register and your preferred drink or pizza, and all of this money will go towards ordering a pizza for the people who participated in the pizza deal. Oh, and extra money ALL goes to charity! If you want to go out and get your own food, that's also cool, but I will NOT have hungry players getting pissed with one another.

Thanks all!!!

Wow, no posts for a while. I followed your advice and PM'd the Moderators, and applied, but it seems not to be taking off. I still will do it, I just was wondering if anyone else here cared . I need to ask everyone else their opinion first, so please, post!
EDIT: Whoah, I AM a TO!!! Posts will soon follow, I just hope that the moderators don't close me down first! I am also wondering to all people here, if I were to announce a tournament with no fixed date, but just general info and change it later, would I get closed down? It's just that I need to launch this as soon as possible.

Echoing Truth, Chain of Vapour are always good. Get a Cunning Wish and Chain, and you've got yourself a win. Unless you want to run black, in which case get a Burning Wish and some Grim Tutors. But then you may as well be playing Long, so just win with Cunning Wish for Brainstorm.

Yes. First, please stop writing A's as 4's. It gets annoying and hard to read. Onto the second subject. How does this deck win precisely? I don't know.... Anyways, cut the Guildmage, because, there's just better stuff out there.

Infinite bond of agony!!!

Hey, man! It's been a while since you posted in my thread in the Vintage Improvement forum, so I'd like to pay you back and show you what I've come up with:

Land:
4 Plateau
4 Wasteland
4 Mishra's Factory
1 Strip Mine
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Flooded Strand
1 Karakas
1 Barbarian Ring
2 Mountain
2 Plains

Creatures:
4 Goblin Tinker
3 Gorilla Shaman
4 Grim Lavamancer
3 Jotun Grunt
3 Kataki, War's Wage (after all, he RULEZ, ha ha ha)
3 Children of Korlis (aka Sacrifice Children)

Removal:
4 Magma Jet
4 Swords to Plowshares

Hate:
3 Pyrostatic Pillar
3 Tormod's Crypt
3 Orim's Chant
2 Umezawa's Jitte

Board:
1 Orim's Chant
3 Engineered Explosives
3 Disenchant
4 Red Elemental Blast
4 Pyroblast

I just thought that it would be cool to tell you about this, after you gave me some info for myself. Thanks,
-Kataki

Choke= Great Idea (that thing is ANNOYING!)
Here's the Board
4 Choke
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Tormod's Crypt
3 Naturalize
Something about Black Vise:
People, stop giving it hype! Tangle wire is one of the things that DOES impact the combo matchup: Tangle Wire+ Root Maze= Multiple Time Walk. Sorry people, but Black Vise is just really easy to get around, and the only deck it can hate out is Vial Fish, which sees 0 play in my local meta.

Hello, world!
Yes, that's right I want to hold a tournament. However, before I hold, or even plan on organizing this tournament, I will need your feedback. This is why I am posting here instead of the Announcement Forum, because it needs people's feedback, and it may not even happen (though I hope it will).
Here's what I was thinking:
Vintage Tournament in Toronto, probably in a rented church or gym. I wish to attract players to play Type 1, and their entry fees will mostly be given to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a foundation fighting AIDS. I am not trying to promote this group on the forums, so I hope that I am not in violation of any rules. I merely want to give everyone interested information. What I will do is the following. The tournament will begin at 11, or 12. I know for a fact that there aren't nearly as many Type 1 players in Toronto as in Hamilton, so I want to give them an incentive to come. I also know that younger players (like myself) need to be home at a certain time, so I also want to make sure that these people can get a shot at both winning and going home at a reasonable hour, hence the early start time.There will probably be four/five rounds of Swiss, one hour for lunch, and Top Eight pairings. In order to gain incentive, I plan to have the standard-issue preregistration draw for a pack of Italian Legends. I also plan to give a pack of "Leggende" out to the first person who arrives, in order to ensure people arrive early, however, the people who run the place will NOT be happy if you camp outside Star Wars style! My prize structure would be first place, either a Mox, Timetwister, Library of Alexandria, or Bazaar of Baghdad (I needed help with this; I don't know precisely what everybody wants power, but economic constraints may limit that. If I really need to, I could make the Timetwister Beta). The second prize will probably be a Mana Drain, a PGS-graded Volcanic Island. Fourth place will be a Revised Dual, if I can get one. 5th will get something special (I don't quite know what), 6th will get a Tinker and DSC, 7th will get a Revised Serendib Djinn (or Arabian Nights Serendib Efreet), and eighth will get a Wheel of Fortune and a Sol Ring. Just because I feel sorry for him (it WILL be a man, we all know that), 9th place will get a Chinese, black-bordered Strip Mine. I also have a buddy who works in a cardstore, so there may be a booth selling packs. Once again, this needs some revision and feedback, right now I just need to know if I will get supported. Entry fee will be $25, and will include 15 proxies, you can pay $1 for each one after that. Unsanctioned, of course. Once again, if you have any doubts, post them, and remember, if you're driving from Hamilton, you're doing it for a good cause!
-Kataki

Umm... really quickly. And, please, everyone, stop obsessing over Black Vise. That thing really isn't as good as you say it is. Why? Because it looks something like the following:
You: Ha ha! I play two black vises!
Them: Beginning of my upkeep, take 6, draw Cabal Ritual of of Confidant, go down to 8. Now I go off....
You: This wouldn't have happened if I had a Tangle Wire in play!
Ok, here's the list I am definitely making, with only maybe one or two changes that I will outline:

Mana:
9 Forest
1 Strip Mine
1 Lotus Petal (Actual lotus if I ever win/proxy one)
4 Land Grant
4 Elvish Spirit Guide

Creatures:
4 Rushwood Legate (or Quirion Ranger, which one's better?)
4 Skyshroud Elites
4 Hidden Guerrilas
4 Elvish Scrapper
4 River Boa

Hate:
4 Pithing Needle
4 Tangle Wire
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Root Maze

Pump:
4 Rancor

Board:
3 Naturalize
4 Tormod's Crypt
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Serum Powder

That's that. My MWS deck record is, so far, 16-4, so 4:1. Not bad. I basically only need to know if Quirion Ranger or Rushwood Legate is better, then I'll probably close the topic.
-Kataki

Wait, Rushwood Dryad is 2/1 Forestwalk? Hell, I thought it was the free 1/3 remove a card thingy. As  far as Tangle Wire goes, I'll have to see, but Pithing Needle will be in. Also, I think that if I play 4 Black Vise, then it's a good idea to run a bunch of Wild Mongrel. Thanks everybody!

Here's what I'm sitting on right now:

Mana:
8 Forest
4 Land Grant
4 Elvish Spirit Guide

Creatures: (24)
4 Skyshroud Elite
4 Hidden Guerrila's
3 Rushwood Dryad
4 River Boa
4 Elvish Scrapper
3 Rushwood Legate

Hate:
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Root Maze
4 Tangle Wire
4 Ground Seal
4 Bounty of the Hunt
2 Pithing Needle

That's what I have in my head, please, more help is welcome!!!

Are you crazy? No offence, but Guerrillas is better than Herd. Why? More artifacts. Look, every deck I've ever seen in Vintage has at least a few artifacts, and I also understand that life is just a thing that you keep track of for storm count, but a 5/3 is better than a 3/3 just because of power. Possibly the stupidest reason ever, but still true. So stop suggesting Herd!!! If I were to change it, it would be Hidden Gibbons, anyways!
EDIT: And I also know every deck runs nonbasics, but with P9 Flying around, I think that you need as much power as possible. Also, what do you guys have to say about Tangle Wire and Scullclamp/Aether Vial? The first two were in the deck that I based this one off.

What I was trying to say about Flash is that I think it is just another good combo deck, but not like "OMG, Flash is the super broken tech, KILL anyone who plays it!!!" Point is, the deck's getting much better. Here's what it looks like now:

Mana:
9 Forest
1 Strip Mine
4 Land Grant
4 Elvish Spirit Guide

Creatures:
4 Hidden Guerrilas
4 Hidden Gibbons
4 Skyshroud Elites
3 Rushwood Legate
4 River Boa
3 Viridian Zealot

Hate:
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Root Maze
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Serum Powder

Pump:
4 Rancor

I'm thinking of cutting some of the stuff in here for Bounty of the Hunt... Until then, I'll stick with this. If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to post.
Cheers,
Kataki
PS: I'm not making this deck for some stupid n00b reason like "I like green!" I'm making this deck for (pseudo) serious play, with Vintage-playing buddies, or at my local tournaments, where a lot of the decks are just bad combo (as in just bad, like no wills or tendrils), or t2 players flashing the Ancestral Recall that they won a month ago. Thank you for your time and pain while reading this.

GAT??? Sorry, I'm not quite following that particular acronym. As to what you say? You are 100% right. I don't know how to deal with combo or Ichorid. How could I? Some suggestions I've heard are Engineered Explosives, to kill Bridge tokens, and Loaming Shaman, which is awesome against Ic. The real problem is combo...hmmm. Does anyone have any suggestions? Remember, combo is probably going down, but you still need to incorporate it, because even at this currently weakened level, it still makes up at least 30% of the metagame, and that's a gross understatement. Loaming pwns Ichorid, but what owns Oath and Long? I don't think Hulk Flash is as viable in Vintage as it is made out to be, but some people still play it. I shall think on this further. I agree that Stompy is having problems with the current meta, but I think that the deck shouldn't be totally discounted. My the Mountains Win Again build is doing pretty well, but that's because Red is probably the 3 best colour in Vintage. This deck needs help, so all who are willing, I urge you, POST!!!

I have a friend with a Legacy Elf Deck (don't laugh). It was an amusing deck, blurring the lines between casual and competitive, but it was the idea I thought that counted: Get infinite mana with Staff of Domination, then draw your entire deck, and play a 100000000000000 copies of Pyromatics! It was a funny deck, if you like, then use it. It might be good, might be bull.
Cheers, and best of luck,
-Kataki!!!

Thank you for the help; here is the list:

Mana:
10 Forest
1 Strip Mine
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Lotus Petal
4 Land Grant (may as well be)
4 Elvish Spirit Guide

Beats:
4 Skyshroud Elite
4 River Boa
4 Jungle Lion
3 Rushwood Legate
3 Quirion Ranger
3 Viridian Zealot

Hate:
4 Chalice of the Void
4 Hidden Guerrilas
4 Hidden Gibbons
3 Hidden Herd

Pump:
3 Bounty of the Hunt
4 Rancor

That's 60 cards, through and through. Help is welcome!!!

OK, so, since Gifts is now restricted, and Gush unrestricted, it seems to me like Aggro/Fish will be getting the break it finally deserves. All of you have seen my R/W List (hopefully). That deck is done, so I was wondering, with the new upsurge of Aggro, does anyone here think that 10-land Stompy (or Stompy in general) is playable? What list. I like playing unpowered Vintage, because Legacy is Vintage for girly men in my opinion, but I just don't have power (yet). So, help please! I have made up my mind on the following matters:
1) 4 Land Grant!!! No more than 16 land!
2) This deck should be Mono-Green. I love Vintage, and Stompy seems fun in both Casual and Competitive, so no splashing.
3) No Berserk. This is not a financial issue, I should have access to 2 or 3 from some buds of mine, but I prefer to think outside the box.
4) No, I am not some stupid n00b with a precon. I am very serious about Vintage, and take the forma to heart when analyzing new sets.
So, suggestions welcome!
Cheers!

Yes, that boat has sailed. Plus I have a few friends here in Canada telling me not to run moxen, so just chill. Anyways, I now have one slot left in my board, it's going to be either a Jitte or a Maze of Ith, or a Pithing Needle. Everyone, which one?

Hey, everyone! I have one word: GLOWRIDER! It seems to be really good combo hate... I'm thinking: board the Pillars, run 3 Glowrider maindeck, or vice versa. I am also wondering: What should I run as my last 3 slots, I've narrowed it down to the following

1) 3 Jitte
2) 2 Jitte 1 Sacred Ground
3) 3 Sacred Ground
4) 1 Maze of Ith, 2 Sacred Ground
5) 3 Sphere of Resistance
6) 3 Glowrider maindeck, put the Pillars in the sideboard
7) 3 Pillars maindeck, 3 Glowrider in the sideboard.

It's one of those, tell me your preference. Also, you are the more experienced players, so:
Chalice or Children?