This week we’re going back to the “live commentary” style in the videos. I think the other way is cleaner, but you don’t really get the same kind of approach or thought processes. This week we’ll be using a decklist very similar to Brad Nelson RUG Delver from last week, but with some minor changes.
First up, the decklist:
Creatures (16)
Lands (21)
Spells (23)
- 4 Lightning Bolt
- 3 Sleight of Hand
- 4 Mana Leak
- 4 Serum Visions
- 2 Cryptic Command
- 2 Burst Lightning
- 2 Deprive
- 2 Flame Slash
Sideboard
While this deck doesn’t quite do a lot of the powerful things that other decks in the format do, you have a decent amount of synergy. Tempo decks rely on sticking early threats and keeping the opponent under control while you finish out the game. RUG uses Delver of Secrets and Tarmogoyf to apply pressure while the rest of the deck revolves around maintaining board control.
With cheap counters, efficient removal, and the format’s most powerful creatures all in one tight package, this deck has a lot going for it. While you will occasionally get obliterated by one of the format’s many aggro or combo decks, you have the tools to dig yourself out of many awkward situations. While other decks might be doing “more powerful” things, they are usually a lot more vulnerable to the various hate cards scattered throughout the format.
As the format continues to develop, certain aspects of the deck will need to change in order to adapt to the format’s more popular decks. At the moment, the biggest decks in the format are Affinity, Splinter Twin, UrzaTron, and Jund, but there are plenty of other archetypes that you may come up against. With a diverse answer suite, as well as a tight removal package, you should be able to handle pretty much anything the format throws at you.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll probably begin to focus a bit more on Standard as Dark Ascension is fully released. While I’ve really enjoyed doing such extensive work on the Modern format, Standard needs a little love too. Enjoy!
-Todd