[Deck] Hulk sideboard discussion

[Smmenen]

That's a STEEP drop from your 30% number.  2-3 Duresses and a few Deep Anals.

Steve

[PucktheCat]

Has anyone considered Carpet of Flowers for the sideboard?  There seem to be even more Islands than usual in the metagame, and many of the decks that run them have a strong mana denial strategy.

Carpet is pretty strong as pure acceleration, and might be sideboarded in even in the mirror, for example, but it really does a number on Fish, decks with Back to Basics, even decks with Bloodmoon (although it is weaker there).

Something to think about.

Leo

[Grand Inquisitor]

Has anyone considered Carpet of Flowers for the sideboard

I think no one has tried this because Hulk doesn't necessarily want to cast its spells during the main phase.  Its fine for things like Deep Analysis, but besides that, almost everything being played is time-sensitive depending on opponent's play.

Also, carpet of flowers really only comes in against a few decks: keeper, control slaver, landstill.  Everything else runs too few lands, or too many non-islands.

[PucktheCat]

I get the mainphase issue, but I still think it is worth considering.  A large part of the reason Hulk makes plays during its opponent's turn is because it wants to leave islands untapped for Mana Drain and reactive Cunning Wishes, however when it gets a mana boost on its mainphase it has no trouble using it.  See also: Mana Drain.  Carpet would let you often Intuition and Mana Drain, whereas the typical play would be to wait until end of turn so you can either Mana Drain or Intuition.

I would add Hulk (especially 3c Hulk with Back to Basics) and Fish to your list of decks Carpet would come in against.  Fish doesn't run too many islands, but it almost always has to drop at least 1-2, and, more to the point, it is VERY dependant on denying Hulk mana to have any chance against it, and it has no way to remove the Carpet.  Even if Carpet is only generating 2 mana a turn it could let get together enough mana to Cunning Wish for removal or Berserk.

At any rate, I will test it, I just wanted to know if I was duplicating someone else's work first.

Leo

[Zherbus]

Assuming 2 things: Tog needs more acceleration and that Carpet is good, shouldn't people be putting in Sol Ring first (assuming most people are omitting a Sol Ring in favor of Crypt, rather than in addition to) instead of more stuff like Carpet of Flowers? If there is already 5 moxen, Lotus, x Lands, Sol Ring, and Crypt (4 Mana Drains too) how much mana is too much? What do you start cutting? Draw, Search, Togs, Counterspells?

[PucktheCat]

Assuming 2 things: Tog needs more acceleration and that Carpet is good, shouldn't people be putting in Sol Ring first (assuming most people are omitting a Sol Ring in favor of Crypt, rather than in addition to) instead of more stuff like Carpet of Flowers? If there is already 5 moxen, Lotus, x Lands, Sol Ring, and Crypt (4 Mana Drains too) how much mana is too much? What do you start cutting? Draw, Search, Togs, Counterspells?

Well, my version of Hulk does run Sol Ring and Mana Crypt.  I think not doing so is incorrect.  But that is another topic.

The reason to run Carpet would be:

1. More acceleration.  I keep hearing people saying there is going to be too much acceleration in this deck and every time I am surprised.  There is such thing as too much acceleration when the acceleration is bad, but if it is good why NOT run it.

2. Color stability against NBLH.

3. Null Rod.  This card hurts Hulk a LOT, especially when backed with Wasteland.

At any rate, I think it is testable.  What is cut would be an interesting question.  It might be Mana Crypt, Sol Ring or Mox Pearl against Fish, to further reduce the effect of Null Rod.

Leo

[walkingdude]

Here’s an odd choice that might be worth looking into, but which I still need to test. I won’t get the chance to do any hard-core testing till finals are over but I figured I’d post now and then again when I have results.

Engulfing flames
R
Instant
Deal one damage to a dude, it can’t be regenerated.
Flashback 3r

Against welder decks is goes two for one with a single wish and then removes itself from the game so you can wish it back for another 2 for one. It’s less versatile than other options, but when something is as common as welder it might be worth giving up a bit of general utility for card advantage. It may just be me, but I’ve personally found that if I can keep the welders off the board everything else seems to just take care of itself.

Will

[GotRealLucky]

Here’s an odd choice that might be worth looking into, but which I still need to test. I won’t get the chance to do any hard-core testing till finals are over but I figured I’d post now and then again when I have results.

Engulfing flames
R
Instant
Deal one damage to a dude, it can’t be regenerated.
Flashback 3r

Against welder decks is goes two for one with a single wish and then removes itself from the game so you can wish it back for another 2 for one. It’s less versatile than other options, but when something is as common as welder it might be worth giving up a bit of general utility for card advantage. It may just be me, but I’ve personally found that if I can keep the welders off the board everything else seems to just take care of itself.

Will

I don't think this card is needed. With 3 Shamans post sideboard and both Firestorm and Snuff Out to Wish for, Slavery is a good enough matchup. It could be nice if I had the sideboardspace for it but I don't.

[PucktheCat]

Engulfing flames
R
Instant
Deal one damage to a dude, it can’t be regenerated.
Flashback 3r

I noticed this one too, but I haven't tested it at all.  It seems like it could be good if you have the slot and you fear Welders, but I don't think I would pull Fire/Ice for it.

Leo

[Smmenen]

Here’s an odd choice that might be worth looking into, but which I still need to test. I won’t get the chance to do any hard-core testing till finals are over but I figured I’d post now and then again when I have results.

Engulfing flames
R
Instant
Deal one damage to a dude, it can’t be regenerated.
Flashback 3r

Against welder decks is goes two for one with a single wish and then removes itself from the game so you can wish it back for another 2 for one. It’s less versatile than other options, but when something is as common as welder it might be worth giving up a bit of general utility for card advantage. It may just be me, but I’ve personally found that if I can keep the welders off the board everything else seems to just take care of itself.

Will

I don't think this card is needed. With 3 Shamans post sideboard and both Firestorm and Snuff Out to Wish for, Slavery is a good enough matchup. It could be nice if I had the sideboardspace for it but I don't.

Don't forget Blue Elemental Blast either.

Steve