[Free Article] Split Article: Devil May Cry / My Name is MUD

[voltron00x]

Split article this week; half the content is Vintage specific, while the rest can ring true for players in any format.

One of the reasons I enjoy Vintage tournaments is that most of the players "get" what I cover in the first section - but even there, many Vintage players are (despite some belief to the contrary) exceptional Magic players that can fall into the same traps as PTQ grinders.

Second part covers the MUD deck I was testing in the lead-up to this past weekend's Blue Bell tournament.  I played nearly the exact deck in the article, ending up 5-1 after the Swiss rounds before getting pummeled in game 3 in the top 8 (which I'll discuss next week).  This deck actually surprised me with how powerful it was, especially against Tezzeret and Oath of Druids; I had a blast playing it. 

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/vintage/18983_The_Long_Winding_Road_Devil_May_Cry_My_Name_is_MUD.html

I'm hitting a relatively quiet stretch in terms of tournaments, so I'm interested in soliciting article topics.  What do you, the active Vintage player, want to read about?

[LotusHead]

I know you’re loving that singleton Metalworker, but to explain, it’s just replacing Mana Vault as it strikes me as generally a more powerful card in this deck – but I’m also not in love with the idea of packing a set of Metalworkers, as quad Metalworker decks don’t tend to win many (or, really, any…) Vintage tournaments these days.

Brilliant.  I have been staring at my Mana Vault and wondering if it's worth keeping in MUD.  Nice solution!

[Will]

Really loved this article Matt as I think the first part sort of summed up me as a Magic player pretty well.  It took me a while to realize that Magic was more about hanging out with my friends and having a good time than just winning although that is nice every once in a while.  I look forward to more articles that are more focused on the game in general which is always appealing as compared to info on a single deck which has a more narrow appeal. 

[conboy31]

What would the SB plan be with Ichorid being that you mentioned you could bring in that many cards.  Particularly because you play a bit of ichorid am I curious to see the swaps.  Thanks.

[Kiriyuu]

No sword of fire and ice?

I think Sword is good enough, that the only reason not to play it is if you're determined to play Null Rod.

But that said I've not played your list and I'm sure it's awesome, so I'll try it out before I complain anymore!

Thanks for the article : )

[voltron00x]

What would the SB plan be with Ichorid being that you mentioned you could bring in that many cards.  Particularly because you play a bit of ichorid am I curious to see the swaps.  Thanks.

Plan against Dredge would be something like:

-4 Tangle Wire, -2 Duplicant, -3 Juggernaut, -1 Metalworker, -1 Chalice of the Void

+4 Tormod's Crypt, +3 Pithing Needle, +2 Relic, +2 Trisk

[Blue Lotus]

In my aggro MUD list I maindeck Leyline.  The theory is that you don't need as much sideboard space when you are not conceding game one.

Also Leyline in another free turn one disruption spell.  I don't mind casting turn one Juggernaut if I have leyline or chalice at zero out.

[madmanmike25]

I wouldn't advocate maindeck Leylines in MUD unless you were positive Dredge would be a prominent force at any given event, or of course if you are playing Helm combo.  Since the deck typically draws one card per turn, a topdecked LL is pretty much useless the majority of the time and is something the deck cannot afford.

As for Mr. Elias, I would like to know if the Rishadan Ports have been as good for you as they have for me.  A mana producing Sphere effect for Sorcery speed spells is pretty good imo.  Port also has good synergy with Tangle Wire.

Personally I would put in City of Traitors in the Metalworker slot, but thats just me.  Rarely do they get wasted and you can still get mana out of them before you drop your land.

And yeah, Powder Keg is still (surprisingly) a solid card in Vintage.  I usually keep them SB, but I can understand maindeck inclusion. 

[Blue Lotus]

I wouldn't advocate maindeck Leylines in MUD unless you were positive Dredge would be a prominent force at any given event, or of course if you are playing Helm combo.  Since the deck typically draws one card per turn, a topdecked LL is pretty much useless the majority of the time and is something the deck cannot afford

Using that argument, it follows you should never play chalice at zero because it makes mox a useless topdeck. 

[FlyFlySideOfFry]

I wouldn't advocate maindeck Leylines in MUD unless you were positive Dredge would be a prominent force at any given event, or of course if you are playing Helm combo.  Since the deck typically draws one card per turn, a topdecked LL is pretty much useless the majority of the time and is something the deck cannot afford

Using that argument, it follows you should never play chalice at zero because it makes mox a useless topdeck. 

What? How is that even close to running a card that you can't recast if bounced and is -4 draws if you don't start with one in play? The topdecking aspect is just the final nail in the coffin.

[carl]

I put this deck together to combat Oath decks in particular, with Powder Keg and Duplicants in the main to help win games on the draw, with additional protection in the sideboard in Eon Hub.

Why is Powder Keg so good vs Oath?

Powder Keg - 2

At the beginning of your upkeep, you may put a fuse counter on Powder Keg.
Tap, Sacrifice Powder Keg: Destroy each artifact and creature with converted mana cost equal to the number of fuse counters on Powder Keg.

[voltron00x]

It locks out the key / vault plan, and lets you wasteland orchard and then sweep away any spirit tokens. They also tend to run light on mana so the ability to sweep moxen away is very good in the match up.

[voltron00x]

Rish port has been amazing. I would consider a third. It helps you keep your opponents off mana drain management, which is huge, and obviously it has tons of synergy with tangle wire and the general mana denial plan.

[Bunbury]

I know you’re loving that singleton Metalworker, but to explain, it’s just replacing Mana Vault as it strikes me as generally a more powerful card in this deck – but I’m also not in love with the idea of packing a set of Metalworkers, as quad Metalworker decks don’t tend to win many (or, really, any…) Vintage tournaments these days.

Brilliant.  I have been staring at my Mana Vault and wondering if it's worth keeping in MUD.  Nice solution!

I agree 100%. I've never been a fan of Vault, and found it bites me in the butt way too often. I'd never thought of the single Worker, but it seems a lot better, and can even swing for one in odd situations.

[jbrauer99]

I totally agree with the mana vault thing, though my current build runs it for different reasons.  The choice for metalworker seems good, as it could be randomly amazing, and never redundant.   But I wouldn't go so far as to question metalworkers power as a four of.  Here is a recent result from a 170 person tourney in Florence.  http://morphling.de/top8decks.php?id=1237</a>  Now, say what you will about the Italian metagame, but 4xmetalworker wins tournaments and our new 5/3 friend isn't hurting him.  At worst he is force bait, at best game breaking, and somewhere between he can wield a sword.