Working control style (b/u/w) without P9, all ideas welcome.

[VarienTanafres]

ok, i still being worked on, don't have all the cards yet, but working on it slowly.

Creatures:
2x Morphling
2x Orphiden

Support:
4x Force of Will
4x Counterspell/Mana Drain
4x Accumalated Knowledge
4x Brainstorm
2x Intuition
2x Cunning Wish
3x Duress
1x Mind twist
1x Balance
2x Swords to Plowshares
1x Demonic Tutor
3x Isochron Scepter


Mana Sources:
1x Sol ring
1x Strip Mine
4x Wasteland
4x Flooded Strand
4x Polluted Delta
4x Tundra
4x Underground Sea
3x Volcanic Island

Sideboard:
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Orim's Chant
1x Disenchant
1x Moat
1x Blue Elemental Blast
3x Phyrexian Negator
4x Meddling Mage
3x Misdirection

there's only one person with P9 here, and he plays MUD,  a really BAD version it.  Lots of MBC, which is why I have the misdirections. I was thinking of adding like 1-2x Pyschatog as another kill condition. Maybe even S/B The AByess for even more control. Masticore is another option. taking all ideas. see an error? or maybe something that can fit better? pls leave ideas...and lets not get too crazy, I'm on a budget....thanks a lot.

[firebird365]

Well, if your meta isn't aggro heavy, then you should probably up the Phid count to 4, and keep the Morphlings at 2 - the Phids are a very nice draw engine to have. The second thing I notice is the manabase - are the wastes working out for you? If you decide to remove them, Shadowmage Infiltrator might be better in the 'phid slot, as they actually deal damage and they're unblockable. Regarding card drawing, you could probably cut the Intuition/AK engine and toss in a Skeletal Scrying for a more controllish draw engine; I would also suggest Vindicate in general, as it's in your colors and it's good removal.

[Cpkrug]

I am just curious how well mind twist works for you with out power or much acceleration.  Depending on how many mana drains you have, maybe you could cut it for an other phid or exhalted or something.  Just an idea.  Good luck.

[VarienTanafres]

ok, after a lil play testing, i've made a few adjustments. (no, hasn't seen tournament play yet, i don't tink it's ready)

Creatures:
2x Morphling
2x Orphiden

Support:
4x Force of Will
4x Counterspell/Mana Drain
4x Accumalated Knowledge
4x Brainstorm
2x Intuition
2x Cunning Wish
3x Duress
1x Mind twist
1x Balance
2x Swords to Plowshares
1x Demonic Tutor
3x Isochron Scepter


Mana Sources:
1x Sol ring
1x Strip Mine
4x Wasteland
3x Flooded Strand
3x Polluted Delta
4x Tundra
3x Underground Sea
3x Volcanic Island
3x Mishra's Factory


Sideboard:
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Orim's Chant
1x Disenchant
1x Skeleton Scrying
1x Fire/Ice
1x Diabolic Edict
1x Abyss
1x Moat
1x Blue Elemental Blast
3x Phyrexian Negator  
3x Misdirection


Not exactly sure on how to top the deck off. Maybe add another kill card, Decree of Justice, Masticore, E-Dragon, or Psychatog. Any ideas? 8 counters isn't enough to reply on to keep my Morphlings alive...

[firebird365]

8 counters isn't enough to reply on to keep my Morphlings alive

I disagree. Your Morphling shouldn't die to any targeted removal, and the only board-sweeper people play is Balance. I think you'll find that Morphling is hard to get rid of.

I think you are going to have trouble with the manabase; do you think that the Factories are essential? With the 5 Strips, you're already pushing the limits for a 3 color deck... with the Factories, it'll be very easy to deny you a color.

[VarienTanafres]

I think you are going to have trouble with the manabase; do you think that the Factories are essential? With the 5 Strips, you're already pushing the limits for a 3 color deck... with the Factories, it'll be very easy to deny you a color.

Point taken well, was just testing out another way to kill. Manlands would help that process. But I understand where your coming from...

Creatures:
2x Morphling
2x Orphiden

Support:
4x Force of Will
4x Counterspell/Mana Drain
4x Accumalated Knowledge
4x Brainstorm
2x Intuition
2x Cunning Wish
3x Duress
1x Mind twist
1x Balance
2x Swords to Plowshares
1x Demonic Tutor
3x Isochron Scepter


Mana Sources:
1x Sol ring
1x Strip Mine
4x Wasteland
3x Flooded Strand
3x Polluted Delta
4x Tundra
3x Underground Sea
3x Volcanic Island
2x Swamp
1x Plains


Sideboard:
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Orim's Chant
1x Disenchant
1x Vampiric Tutor
1x Fire/Ice
1x Diabolic Edict
1x Abyss
1x Moat
1x Blue Elemental Blast
3x Phyrexian Negator
3x Misdirection

Now I only need to get 2x Misdirection, 1x Volcanic Island, 1x Underground Sea, and the deck will be complete.  I like the way the deck is turning out, but should I have Decree of Justice anywhere's in there?

[mogote]

Has Mind Twist been working so far? I don't see how it could work properly without much mana acceleration (except Sol Ring and maybe Drains). Maybe a Mystical Tutor as a replacement?

Also, I would add at least 1 Island in the mana base in case you're facing non-basic hate.

Just a few thoughts...

[DavidHernandez]

I think you need to up the Ophidians to 4 if you are set on running any of them.  I agree with the suggestion to use Shadowmage Infiltrator instead, and again, I suggest 4 of them.

With the cards you are running, 4 Mana Drain are probably better than Counterspells.

I think that 2 Decree of Justice would be good in the build.

For mana acceleration, you could try Mana Crypt.

Dave.

[VarienTanafres]

The Mind Twist works out very well due to the fact that I don't have much mana acceleration. The metagame in this area isn't fast. No P9 around here and I control the game early. They don't expect the Mind Twist.

I brought the deck to a tournament and I did very welll. 3-0, with no problems what'so ever. I had to drop out in finals due to me going to work, but I had a nice chance to get first. (Solid-MBC without P9)

As to the Ophidians, I was lucky to find two that I had. (No one else has them around here) Same as the Shadowmages...should I get shadowmages to replace the Ophidians if possible? Also, what should I take out for the 2 extra shadowmages/Ophidians if I can get them? Thanks!

[DavidHernandez]

hmmm.

you could drop either the Brainstorms or the AK's.  If you drop the AK's, you could drop the Intuition's as well.  

that would open up slots for 2 Ophidians/Shadowmages, and 2 Decree of Justice.

dave.