[Free Article] Islands Across the Ocean: LCV January Vintage

[hitman]

GP winner Brian DeMars takes a look at the results of a recent Vintage tournament in Europe and explains where he sees the metagame going moving forward.

http://www.starcitygames.com/article/25619_Islands-Across-The-Ocean-LCV-January-Vintage.html

[PeAcH]

Really nice read and opinion on the matter.

It´s a good idea to focus the metagame shifts on an wide analysis and now more than ever any list/tech/result widely spreads through geographically distinct communities. This maybe produced by the reduction of the numbers as players so we are forced to search for other sources of inspiration/information for our game.

Brian is totally right on his comment regarding the waste effects. I have to say we playtested yesterday with Long versus BUG without wastelands and the night ended with some strip effects added to the BUG decklist as a no brainer.

Keep up the good work!

[Metman]

An interesting and insightful analysis, thank you Brian.

One question for you though. How would you prepare for an unknown metegame? Does it matter if it isn't a particularly large tournament, one without a lot of notoriety?

[tito del monte]

Really nice read and opinion on the matter.

It´s a good idea to focus the metagame shifts on an wide analysis and now more than ever any list/tech/result widely spreads through geographically distinct communities. This maybe produced by the reduction of the numbers as players so we are forced to search for other sources of inspiration/information for our game.

Brian is totally right on his comment regarding the waste effects. I have to say we playtested yesterday with Long versus BUG without wastelands and the night ended with some strip effects added to the BUG decklist as a no brainer.

Keep up the good work!

Peach, I played a tweaked version of the list yesterday in a 19-man Vintage event in London. Finished 5th after five rounds of swiss. Never got to face Workshops or Burning Wish (though I did beat regular Griselbrand Oath), so can't comment on those match-ups, but it was a blast to play. Deathrite Shaman was awesome for me all day, burning several opponents to death.

Basically, I made the list more redundant going up to three Trygons, four snapcasters - and dropped the three Dimir Cutpurse for three Liliana. She was excellent - even got her a ultimate off a few times!

[PeAcH]

@tito del monte

Yes, there is still some room to adjust to personal preferences. I would also try 3 Trygon 2 Vendillion in the 3 CC slots.

Lilliana seems pretty interesting if there is some aggro in the room.

[forests failed you]

An interesting and insightful analysis, thank you Brian.

One question for you though. How would you prepare for an unknown metegame? Does it matter if it isn't a particularly large tournament, one without a lot of notoriety?

In an unknown meta I would always play something that is already established to be good.  That way the burden is on everybody else to beat your broken deck.  For instance, if didn't know what to expect and showed up with Martello, if you play well you are going to usually do well.  Even if people have reasonable decks and sideboards the deck is powerful enough to steal games and fight though it to win matches.  If you catch people snoozing on artifact hate you get to roll them over.  I like the Burning Tendrils deck for the same reason, the burden of getting a stop is on your opponent. 

Play something that is tier I.  Play something that is proactive.  and don't get too cute would be my advice.

[msg67183]

Brian, what decks would you consider Tier 1?

[forests failed you]

MUD, Grixis and Bomberman (Workshops and Combo Control) are all decks I would feel comfortable labeling as tier I.  They are the decks to beat, and the decks that consistently win.

But that isn't to say that there are not a whole lot of other great decks.  Burning Tendrils, Oath, Dredge, Landstill, and Midrange are all decks capable of doing well.  I would say the three I selected are tier I because they seem to have performed well almost EVERY week for the past six months.