[Premium Article] So Many Insane Plays - As Clear as MUD

[Smmenen]

What about Cranial Plating? Has anyone ever tested those? Combined with Manlands (Factory, Blinkmoth Nexus and Mutavault) and Crucibles they might be pretty good. Another possible inclusion could be Skullclamp, clamping away useless Metalworkers or the same Blinkmoth Nexus again and again, thanks to Crucible.

Appletree

Skullclamp is good, but only really works if you have a sac outlet (ala Ravager) online.  Otherwise it's just insurance if your guy dies (but you don't truly have a way to take advantage of it otherwise).  Crusher is good, and I think works incredibly well with Triskelion (obviously), since he's basically an Artifact Dryad.    I am curious why more Metalworker lists don't run a single Staff of Domination in the MB, simply for that "oops, I win" factor.  Especially if you run Crusher, Worker/Staff can let you play out everything, pump up your Crusher with tons of counters, sac it and Modular it to Triskelion, then just kill them right there (ala a nice Combo-ish finish), or even just swing next turn with a bunch of big robots.

I'd like to second xycsoscyx is asking why none of these lists run staff of domination? Originally my list ran it as a one of, but was eventually upped to three because staff alone is really good in the meta, and so is winning out of no where turn 2. Personally I cut the ravager for bigger robots just so null rod isn't a complete beating, but laying down 5x sphere 4x wire and passing turn has never been a problem

All of those options were discussed in the article, although not extensively.   

[xycsoscyx]

Hmm, me thinks it's time to finally renew my subscription to SCG, then. 

[dicemanx]

I'm curious about the response to the Staff question. I no longer subscribe to premium, nor do I have plans to do so in the near future, so it would be nice to see this discussed in this thread.

[Sean Ryan]

Steve,

Further discussion on the capacity of Mud to be a hybrid design should definitely be further elaborated on.  Why not here in this thread?  I am thinking ahead to the emerging meta that will no doubt contain more Workshops and I am thinking a more aggro-control hybrid will be stronger.  Dropping both Smokestack and Tangle Wire are probably the first steps in that direction. If Shops are going to be as prevalent as I suspect, Crucible belongs maindeck to provide recursion against smokestack/wasteland and to allow recurable factories.   I am currently trying to come up with an alternative build eschewing the focus on a hard lock and would appreciate any suggestions.

Once you drop the complete prison paradigm the possibilities can be daunting.

Here is the core that should probably remain:
4CotV
4SoR
4Thorn
1Trini
XCrucibles(SB/MD?)

The creature suite would include: Ravager, Karn and Trike.  I am currently wondering whether Crusher or another beater would be better.

The equipment is another question.  Sword is good alone, but Clamp is another option as well.  I don't think Plating is necessary but I could be wrong.  I know that I want some kind of card advantage in the deck though.  I also wanted to ask why Jar seems to be getting dropped from the latest lists as well.  It used to be my favorite draw with old school Mud.

Thanks!
     

[Smmenen]

I intend to delve into this subject (in great detail) in my article next week, so I'll save my response for then.