There used to be an evident Rock-Paper-Scissors, but now there seems like 4-5 viables options, which I've listed below. On the right side of the deck is a deck that is known to do pretty well against it.
Wolf Run Ramp - Weak to counters and hand disruption --> U/B Control U/W Delver (Spirits) - Weak to Corrosive Gale and other sweepers --> Wolf Run Ramp U/B Control - Weak to a quick clock and hexproof guys --> R/G Aggro / Delver R/G Aggro - Weak to creature bombs and sweepers (DoJ type) --> Frites Frites - Weak to graveyard disruption and counters --> U/B Control
Any predictions on the meta of GP Lille? What archetype would you choose to pilot for a tournament tomorrow? Are there any decks not on the list that you feel have a good chance against the field? Please post your thoughts and critiques.
There used to be an evident Rock-Paper-Scissors, but now there seems like 4-5 viables options, which I've listed below. On the right side of the deck is a deck that is known to do pretty well against it.Any predictions on the meta of GP Lille? What a
Why hasn't R/G aggro started running sideboard GY hate? It's cheap and colorless. Surgical extraction, grafdigger's cage, and nihil spellbomb are all playable in any deck.
Why hasn't R/G aggro started running sideboard GY hate? It's cheap and colorless. Surgical extraction, grafdigger's cage, and nihil spellbomb are all playable in any deck.
Nihil Spellbomb is only spectacular in black, since it becomes free, card-wise. Wasting 1 card to exile a graveyard was good before lands could do it, but now Wizards thinks graveyard removal should cost nothing, at least in its own colors.
Nihil Spellbomb is only spectacular in black, since it becomes free, card-wise. Wasting 1 card to exile a graveyard was good before lands could do it, but now Wizards thinks graveyard removal should cost nothing, at least in its own colors.
Why hasn't R/G aggro started running sideboard GY hate? It's cheap and colorless. Surgical extraction, grafdigger's cage, and nihil spellbomb are all playable in any deck.
I think it may just be because Frites hasn't shown up in force at any recent tournaments because of the popularity of U/B Control. But, as you said, it's really easy to metagame against because the strategy is so linear. R/G Aggro already has the early sweepers to keep it off its Turn 3 Rites shenanigan. A couple Extraction/Spellbombs in the SB, and the matchup significantly favors R/G post-Board IMO.
I think it may just be because Frites hasn't shown up in force at any recent tournaments because of the popularity of U/B Control. But, as you said, it's really easy to metagame against because the strategy is so linear. R/G Aggro already has the ear
SCG Tampa Open (Top 8) : U/B Control, 2 U/B Zombies, WRR, Tempered Steel, MGA, Delver, Frites GP Lille (Top 8): U/B Zombies, 3 R/G Aggro, 2 Delver, WRR, Humans
So, what am I supposed to prepare for again? Tampa didn't have too many true pros due to GP Seattle. Lille was in France, and the European meta is almost always different than the U.S. metagame. Even so, the format is looking a lot more wide open than it was at Worlds. People have finally found a way to deal with Delver builds outside of WRR. Thoughts?
Edit: Also, something to note: The Delver decks putting up results are the old-school ones with Geist and Pike, not the Spirits build that the Finkel House was running at Worlds. I think Corrosive Gale just does too much damage to that latter build.
SCG Tampa Open (Top 8) : U/B Control, 2 U/B Zombies, WRR, Tempered Steel, MGA, Delver, FritesGP Lille (Top 8): U/B Zombies, 3 R/G Aggro, 2 Delver, WRR, HumansSo, what am I supposed to prepare for again? Tampa didn't have too many true pros due to GP
Why hasn't R/G aggro started running sideboard GY hate? It's cheap and colorless. Surgical extraction, grafdigger's cage, and nihil spellbomb are all playable in any deck.
I think it may just be because Frites hasn't shown up in force at any recent tournaments because of the popularity of U/B Control. But, as you said, it's really easy to metagame against because the strategy is so linear. R/G Aggro already has the early sweepers to keep it off its Turn 3 Rites shenanigan. A couple Extraction/Spellbombs in the SB, and the matchup significantly favors R/G post-Board IMO.
The only way for a R/G aggro to beat a good Frites player, is lightning speed. I've played this matchup too many times at my local store.
The Frites player there is one of the most skilled players who plays there, and he actually sideboards out the reanimator part in game 2, because he hates playing against graveyard hate, and Frites is also just a ramp deck. So he makes all the GY hate that gets boarded in useless, and then just hardcasts his Norn and Titans, and uses O-rings and Ancient Grudges to deal with your threats and Swords.
Whenever I play Frites, I just hope for perfect draws, otherwise I know I'm going to lose.
I think it may just be because Frites hasn't shown up in force at any recent tournaments because of the popularity of U/B Control. But, as you said, it's really easy to metagame against because the strategy is so linear. R/G Aggro already has the ear
Arc trail to deal with the manadorks, more threats than his answers to hit him for a bunch of damage before he can cast anything, act of aggression to finish the job.
I don't see what's so hard about that...
Arc trail to deal with the manadorks, more threats than his answers to hit him for a bunch of damage before he can cast anything, act of aggression to finish the job.I don't see what's so hard about that...
Arc trail to deal with the manadorks, more threats than his answers to hit him for a bunch of damage before he can cast anything, act of aggression to finish the job.
I don't see what's so hard about that...
Have you actually played this matchup? It is not that easy at all. This is the hardest matchup, by far, for the R/G aggro. Like it is obviously possible to win, but you have to get pretty nuts draws.
Have you actually played this matchup? It is not that easy at all. This is the hardest matchup, by far, for the R/G aggro. Like it is obviously possible to win, but you have to get pretty nuts draws.
Arc trail to deal with the manadorks, more threats than his answers to hit him for a bunch of damage before he can cast anything, act of aggression to finish the job.
I don't see what's so hard about that...
Have you actually played this matchup? It is not that easy at all. This is the hardest matchup, by far, for the R/G aggro. Like it is obviously possible to win, but you have to get pretty nuts draws.
I have, and the only way that Frites has ever beaten me playing R/G is when they get the god-hand T4 Elesh Norn and I didn't keep a hand with Surgical Extraction. Granted, I've only played the matchup something like eight times, so maybe its just limited playtesting on my part.
Have you actually played this matchup? It is not that easy at all. This is the hardest matchup, by far, for the R/G aggro. Like it is obviously possible to win, but you have to get pretty nuts draws.[/quote]I have, and the only way that Frites has ev
Arc trail to deal with the manadorks, more threats than his answers to hit him for a bunch of damage before he can cast anything, act of aggression to finish the job.
I don't see what's so hard about that...
Have you actually played this matchup? It is not that easy at all. This is the hardest matchup, by far, for the R/G aggro. Like it is obviously possible to win, but you have to get pretty nuts draws.
I have, and the only way that Frites has ever beaten me playing R/G is when they get the god-hand T4 Elesh Norn and I didn't keep a hand with Surgical Extraction. Granted, I've only played the matchup something like eight times, so maybe its just limited playtesting on my part.
And this is R/G aggro you are playing right? Also, the Extraction, doesn't work if they don't use the reanimator package, which is what I'm trying to explain. That in game 2, they just take that out, and let you waste your GY hate. And they can get turn 3 Norn, and Norn on turns 3-5 is a godhand, yes, but that is what the deck is made to do, and it does it VERY consistently.
Have you actually played this matchup? It is not that easy at all. This is the hardest matchup, by far, for the R/G aggro. Like it is obviously possible to win, but you have to get pretty nuts draws.[/quote]I have, and the only way that Frites has ev
If they DO side out the unburial rites, then you should be able to clean the floors with them, even with Extraction sided in. Just because it doesn't hit Rites, it still can hit other cards which are STILL RELEVANT. It is never a completely dead card.
If they DO side out the unburial rites, then you should be able to clean the floors with them, even with Extraction sided in. Just because it doesn't hit Rites, it still can hit other cards which are STILL RELEVANT. It is never a completely dead card
The meta in Lille was interesting, lots of UW humans, lots of UB zombies, lots of RG aggro, they were the three most represented decks whilst I was looking around. It's a shame that it seems control doesn't get much of a shout in the format though, but Europe is known for having more aggro.
At least a fellow brit won, and he's a really nice bloke, that's 2 English GP winners in the last year, as well as some other top 8's. Considering the small percentage of the world players we make up, we're starting to post some serious results.
The meta in Lille was interesting, lots of UW humans, lots of UB zombies, lots of RG aggro, they were the three most represented decks whilst I was looking around. It's a shame that it seems control doesn't get much of a shout in the format though, b
I think all the aggro was a reaction to UB control. Actually a pretty safe bet as its fairly easy to get quick draws in this format and curve out against control or ramp.
I think all the aggro was a reaction to UB control. Actually a pretty safe bet as its fairly easy to get quick draws in this format and curve out against control or ramp.
I'm still waiting for a UW control deck to happen. Maybe something with trinket mages.
I've tried UW Control, but black is just better. Either Esper (Lingering Souls, etc.) or just UB (Drownyard). If Mono-Green was bigger, UW might have the edge on UB just because Drownyards, Doom Blade, Curse of Death's Grip, Flashback on Forbidden Alchemy, etc.
I've tried UW Control, but black is just better. Either Esper (Lingering Souls, etc.) or just UB (Drownyard). If Mono-Green was bigger, UW might have the edge on UB just because Drownyards, Doom Blade, Curse of Death's Grip, Flashback on Forbidden Al
I'm still waiting for a UW control deck to happen. Maybe something with trinket mages.
I've tried UW Control, but black is just better. Either Esper (Lingering Souls, etc.) or just UB (Drownyard). If Mono-Green was bigger, UW might have the edge on UB just because Drownyards, Doom Blade, Curse of Death's Grip, Flashback on Forbidden Alchemy, etc.
The builder (Sam Black) said it had good matchups against everything except Delver. I'm gonna give it a shot tonight at FNM, because I miss not playing with Islands.
I've tried UW Control, but black is just better. Either Esper (Lingering Souls, etc.) or just UB (Drownyard). If Mono-Green was bigger, UW might have the edge on UB just because Drownyards, Doom Blade, Curse of Death's Grip, Flashback on Forbidden Al
Blue Sun's Zenith is really bad - it only ever does good things when you're winning, and in the matchups where it matters it doesn't resolve, ever.
Not super keen on Ponder over Forbidden Alchemy either, but that's just me.
Frankly, though, I would be ASTOUNDED if that took even a single game against UB Control, let alone a match.
Blue Sun's Zenith is really bad - it only ever does good things when you're winning, and in the matchups where it matters it doesn't resolve, ever. Not super keen on Ponder over Forbidden Alchemy either, but that's just me.Frankly, though, I would be
Blue Sun's Zenith is really bad - it only ever does good things when you're winning, and in the matchups where it matters it doesn't resolve, ever.
I disagree. When you're at seven lands in UB control and you have two cards in hand, it's the game-breaking card.
In the abstract.
In practice, it's never contextually relevant enough.
Against Delver, it's too slow; they either counter it if it matters, or ignore it and just kill you. If you resolve it for big at the end of the game, you could have resolved anything and still won - winning is decided by whether or not you stabilise. Against other Aggro decks, it's way too slow. It's like Delver, only worse. Against Ramp it's decent, but Ramp is hardly a bad matchup in the first place since the number of relevant spells is so small. Against the mirror, it never resolves, and even if it did it's not amazingly helpful because only one card is relevant in the matchup. In that matchup, noone plays anything turn after turn so when you try to resolve it for something meaningful, your opponent has 4 counterspells in hand ready and waiting because you haven't given him anything else to counter yet.
In general, the card doesn't give aid in any relevant matchup in this format, and is usually just better being another Sphinx/Titan/Wurmcoil/Other.
I disagree. When you're at seven lands in UB control and you have two cards in hand, it's the game-breaking card.[/quote]In the abstract.In practice, it's never contextually relevant enough.Against Delver, it's too slow; they either counter it if it
In my experience, it has been a game-breaker in many games. However, I just play at FNM, and I haven't playtested for hundreds of hours.
Against aggro, it's useful to consolidate your position when you have stabilized, but have no ressources left to fight the onslaught. Against Ramp, I'll agree that it isn't necessary, but still nice. Haven't played the mirror.
That's my experience anyway.
All decent points, I'll admit.In my experience, it has been a game-breaker in many games. However, I just play at FNM, and I haven't playtested for hundreds of hours.Against aggro, it's useful to consolidate your position when you have stabilized, bu
Against Control, EOT USZ needs to be countered, which means you can untap into Karn/Gideon. USZ is good, saying it's bad because it's an instant speed card that can be countered is not a massively relevant statement.
Against Control, EOT USZ needs to be countered, which means you can untap into Karn/Gideon. USZ is good, saying it's bad because it's an instant speed card that can be countered is not a massively relevant statement.
Against Control, EOT USZ needs to be countered, which means you can untap into Karn/Gideon. USZ is good, saying it's bad because it's an instant speed card that can be countered is not a massively relevant statement.
It's not "It can be countered, therefore it's bad." It's more subtle and more fundamental than that.
The issue is that because you're not applying pressure on the opponent early on, they're not going to be using up their counterspells. Neither of you are. That means that not only will USZ be countered, your opponent will still have mana up to counter the Karn as well (and Gideon is less relevant given Doom Blade/Go Fer).
The U/x Control v U/x Control matchup is -ENTIRELY- about Drownyard advantage. Hell, a lot of the time the opponent can probably let the USZ resolve and then just counter the Karn - then the USZ is actually helping them kill you.
It's not "It can be countered, therefore it's bad." It's more subtle and more fundamental than that.The issue is that because you're not applying pressure on the opponent early on, they're not going to be using up their counterspells. Neither of you
Stupid Geralf's Messenger forcing me to play Red Sun. D:< Or Surgical Extraction.
Or Grafdigger's Cage.
And Indigo, on the UB control matchup for the deck, I quote:
"The U/B Control matchup doesn't really seem to go the way one might expect. Everyone talks about U/B Control as if it's just assumed to beat every other control deck because Nephalia Drownyard is the only card that matters in control mirrors. With this deck, that doesn't really seem true. Karn and Blue Sun's Zenith matter, and playing so many hard counters instead of Mana Leak lets you force them through in the late game. None of their cards do anything except Nephalia Drownyard and Dissipate, and Ghost Quarter and Karn answer Drownyard. If I expected the format to continue to look the way it did for this tournament, I'd probably cut the one Mana Leak for a third Negate. Mana Leak really isn't that important."
Granted, I never got to play against a UB control deck (I ended up drafting instead - didn't manage to pick up Seachrome Coasts in time for FNM) but I've been playing well against Frites and Wolf Run, for what little those count.
Or Grafdigger's Cage.And Indigo, on the UB control matchup for the deck, I quote:"The U/B Control matchup doesn't really seem to go the way one might expect. Everyone talks about U/B Control as if it's just assumed to beat every other control deck be
Grafdigger's Cage could be an option now that it's down to 3. I didn't check on them after the preorder madness was done, last I saw they were at 10. xD
Grafdigger's Cage could be an option now that it's down to 3. I didn't check on them after the preorder madness was done, last I saw they were at 10. xD
I feel like Red and Blue have all the tools needed to hate on the meta right now.
Not G/R aggro or U/B zombies...
Zombies die to slagstorm and counters.
RG dies to countering key cards. Both things RU has main deck. Not to mention it can side in Extractions/Spellbombs along Dissipates.
Not G/R aggro or U/B zombies...[/quote]Zombies die to slagstorm and counters.RG dies to countering key cards. Both things RU has main deck. Not to mention it can side in Extractions/Spellbombs along Dissipates.
The issue with Cage, is that the control decks are often using their own GY cards, like Snappy, Alchemy, Think Twice, DEsperate Ravings, Sever the Bloodline and all sorts.
The issue with Cage, is that the control decks are often using their own GY cards, like Snappy, Alchemy, Think Twice, DEsperate Ravings, Sever the Bloodline and all sorts.
I feel like Red and Blue have all the tools needed to hate on the meta right now.
Not G/R aggro or U/B zombies...
Zombies die to slagstorm and counters.
RG dies to countering key cards. Both things RU has main deck. Not to mention it can side in Extractions/Spellbombs along Dissipates.
Slagstorm doesn't beat Zombies. Slagging a Geralf's or Obliterator wouldn't do anything for you. In fact, I would say of all the colors, red has worst matchup vs zombies. Recurring threats and obliterator. Counters "beat" everyting except Thrun so... I have no idea how that's a relavent statement. Its about as relevant as saying creatires die to removal. A R/U deck would have a weak mana base (only 4 duals), and the only RU deck worth running is Delver and the UW version is the one that keeps winning.
Not G/R aggro or U/B zombies...[/quote]Zombies die to slagstorm and counters.RG dies to countering key cards. Both things RU has main deck. Not to mention it can side in Extractions/Spellbombs along Dissipates.[/quote] Slagstorm doesn't beat Zombies.
Wrack with Madness Literally demolishes the Zombie deck, since they can't play their best card(olbiterator) against you, and if they do, you win straight away. At GP lille, all the traders were sold out of Wracks....
Wrack with Madness Literally demolishes the Zombie deck, since they can't play their best card(olbiterator) against you, and if they do, you win straight away. At GP lille, all the traders were sold out of Wracks....
I feel like Red and Blue have all the tools needed to hate on the meta right now.
Not G/R aggro or U/B zombies...
Zombies die to slagstorm and counters.
RG dies to countering key cards. Both things RU has main deck. Not to mention it can side in Extractions/Spellbombs along Dissipates.
Slagstorm doesn't beat Zombies. Slagging a Geralf's or Obliterator wouldn't do anything for you. In fact, I would say of all the colors, red has worst matchup vs zombies. Recurring threats and obliterator. Counters "beat" everyting except Thrun so... I have no idea how that's a relavent statement. Its about as relevant as saying creatires die to removal. A R/U deck would have a weak mana base (only 4 duals), and the only RU deck worth running is Delver and the UW version is the one that keeps winning.
Slagstorm mops up the weaker zombies and messengers. RU is also able to trinket mage a cage or spellbomb; if youre not relying on flashback cards which you may. But if I knew I was going against a zombie deck I would modify to go Big Red/U. And try to finish it with a nasty Titan.
and black is terrible at remvoing artifacts so that could be a nasty solution to their whole deck. T3 Trinket mage, T4 cag + slag. T5 Titan (via a manafixing sphere)
oh and chandra's pheonix trades with every zombie out there.
Not G/R aggro or U/B zombies...[/quote]Zombies die to slagstorm and counters.RG dies to countering key cards. Both things RU has main deck. Not to mention it can side in Extractions/Spellbombs along Dissipates.[/quote] Slagstorm doesn't beat Zombies.
Phoenix is an aggro card for if you want to kill them quickly and spend burn on their face. It's essentially a 3 cmc shock for their zombies, and it's not worth a burn spell to get it back.
Also, what's the probability of getting trinket mage AND slagstorm AND 4 lands AND AND that early AND a sphere of the suns AND a titan? That's an unrealistic play. Trinket cage could be nice, but keep in mind that it also stops you from playing flashback cards yourself.
In the end, I can see no real reason to play U/R over U/W. You lose out on galvanic blast and slagstorm, but you get oblivion ring, geist of St. Traft, efficient bodies like blade splicer or Hero of bladehold, day of judgment, and Gideon Jura. I think the choice is obvious.
Phoenix is an aggro card for if you want to kill them quickly and spend burn on their face. It's essentially a 3 cmc shock for their zombies, and it's not worth a burn spell to get it back.Also, what's the probability of getting trinket mage AND sla
I was really just point out a ideal situation. And its probably about the same probabiltiy of any other combo really... PERSONALLY, I wouldnt run pheonix for that reason; and because Im poor and at my store theyre like $10 ;_; .
I was really just point out a ideal situation. And its probably about the same probabiltiy of any other combo really...PERSONALLY, I wouldnt run pheonix for that reason; and because Im poor and at my store theyre like $10 ;_; .
Phoenix is an aggro card for if you want to kill them quickly and spend burn on their face. It's essentially a 3 cmc shock for their zombies, and it's not worth a burn spell to get it back.
It says "haste," not "can't block." It's an "aggro card" if you play it that way and attack every turn, sure. Or if you just play it and pass, then it can be a blocker with the potential to come back and kill something every turn. Maybe it's not the ideal way to use it, but it's reasonable. If there was a 3 cmc shock that I could replay as often as the Phoenix, I would play the hell out of it.
Also, what's the probability of getting trinket mage AND slagstorm AND 4 lands AND AND that early AND a sphere of the suns AND a titan? That's an unrealistic play. Trinket cage could be nice, but keep in mind that it also stops you from playing flashback cards yourself.
This is turns 3-5 he's talking about here. That's 10-12 cards in, and only 4 specific non-land cards, one of which does the mana-fixing you mentioned (although if you can't get and by turn 4, you've built the deck badly anyway). As long as you're not running 1 of each card, that's not terrible odds.
It says "haste," not "can't block." It's an "aggro card" if you play it that way and attack every turn, sure. Or if you just play it and pass, then it can be a blocker with the potential to come back and kill something every turn. Maybe it's not t
Honestly, the standard format right now is a "Rogue's Paradise". It is far from unreasonable to make almost any kind of deck work given the cards available. I like it, though it makes deckbuilding a bit frustrating because while many decks are great in a vacuum, the decks that you play against at FNM aren't a vacuum.
Honestly, the standard format right now is a "Rogue's Paradise". It is far from unreasonable to make almost any kind of deck work given the cards available. I like it, though it makes deckbuilding a bit frustrating because while many decks are great
Four of the top at this the GP are UW delver, three of the lists are identical.
It's the best deck in the format, no argument. On major tournament scale, the format is far less open than people make it out to be, with three or four decks that matter, then a bunch of other stuff. Granted, the "bunch of other stuff" has a better chance of winning than almost any other standard format in the past.
It's the best deck in the format, no argument. On major tournament scale, the format is far less open than people make it out to be, with three or four decks that matter, then a bunch of other stuff. Granted, the "bunch of other stuff" has a better c
Four of the top at this the GP are UW delver, three of the lists are identical.
It's the best deck in the format, no argument. On major tournament scale, the format is far less open than people make it out to be, with three or four decks that matter, then a bunch of other stuff. Granted, the "bunch of other stuff" has a better chance of winning than almost any other standard format in the past.
When I see a format with three to four business decks, I tend to think that it is open. I guess I just have too many memories of stale formats with decks like Affinity, Faeries, and Caw-Blade. Anyways, I tend to agree with the four (probably five) decks at the top: U/W Delver, Humans, Ramp, R/G Aggro, and U/B Control. Although, Zombies, Frites, and Birthing Pod are fairly good "other stuff" decks that tend to make their way into T8 on a somewhat frequent basis.
It's the best deck in the format, no argument. On major tournament scale, the format is far less open than people make it out to be, with three or four decks that matter, then a bunch of other stuff. Granted, the "bunch of other stuff" has a better c
I didnt really think the lor/sha block with faeries was too stagnent really. You had 5CC control, swans, R/bdw's, WW, and Fae and they all traded off what could win what between themselves. I fully agree that affinity and caw made standard stagnent in their respective blocks.
I didnt really think the lor/sha block with faeries was too stagnent really. You had 5CC control, swans, R/bdw's, WW, and Fae and they all traded off what could win what between themselves. I fully agree that affinity and caw made standard stagnent i
Yep, most the time when people pick on Fae its because it translated so well to other formats like extended and legacy for periods of time before answers were found. Yes it was popular, yes it was highly played, yes it was fairly powerfull, no it didnt dominate standard like cawblade did.
There was litterally a answer for fae in the RDW deck and it was fairly difficult for the fae player to take that solid midrange from a demigod of revenge, ram gang, blood knight/hellspark elemental combination. RDW players always welcomed them killing themselves when they had a bitterblossum or 2 in play.
Wizards did a few things wrong in the cawblade era, first off was the removal of o ring and pithing needle as answers to plainswalkers. Sure they added a pithing needle in phyrexian revoker..........but this is also in a standard where removal is widely available, and the pithing needle was a creature. Now if they had added shroud or hexproof to Phyrexian Revoker he may have been more relevant.
Next was jace the cash sculpter. Sure four abilities was neat, but really WTF?? fatesteal should only have gained +1 loaylty so that you could maybe deal with him by overwhelming with creatures OR leave it at+ 2 and remove the unsummon and make the brainstorm -1. Jace was far and away the best plainswalker ever made, since it could defend itself as well as support the decks it was in without running down loalyty.
Sorry for the rant....its just the caw era still annoys the crap out of me. I really didnt mind the flying swords carriers. I really loved stoneforge mystic. Im ok with battterskull. Those three things didnt bother me as much as a card that litterally had no answer that was consistant enough to deal with it in that standard of the time, and the fact that they had 2 blocks to actually answer the problem and they did almost absolutely nothing till the last 6 months of standard.
Yep, most the time when people pick on Fae its because it translated so well to other formats like extended and legacy for periods of time before answers were found. Yes it was popular, yes it was highly played, yes it was fairly powerfull, no it did
WotC is now run by a fairly soulless company. They are completely up-front about the fact that they make tons of decisions that are purely monetary-focused. Why ban Jace the minute you realize how Format-warping he is when you could just leave him in to sky-rocket the sales of Worldwake for a year or so, and then ban him to pay lip-service to any sense of "Balance?"
Seriously, the minute "Power Creep" turned into "Power Leap," I began to worry, but nowadays it's just obvious that the "Bottom-Line" effect is in full effect at WotC. The problem with corporations is that enough is never enough. Why make 100 mil when you can make 200 mil instead, right?
WotC is now run by a fairly soulless company. They are completely up-front about the fact that they make tons of decisions that are purely monetary-focused. Why ban Jace the minute you realize how Format-warping he is when you could just leave him in
Four of the top at this the GP are UW delver, three of the lists are identical.
It's the best deck in the format, no argument. On major tournament scale, the format is far less open than people make it out to be, with three or four decks that matter, then a bunch of other stuff. Granted, the "bunch of other stuff" has a better chance of winning than almost any other standard format in the past.
When I see a format with three to four business decks, I tend to think that it is open. I guess I just have too many memories of stale formats with decks like Affinity, Faeries, and Caw-Blade. Anyways, I tend to agree with the four (probably five) decks at the top: U/W Delver, Humans, Ramp, R/G Aggro, and U/B Control. Although, Zombies, Frites, and Birthing Pod are fairly good "other stuff" decks that tend to make their way into T8 on a somewhat frequent basis.
I'm not saying it isn't open, I'm just saying that people make it out to be more than what it is.
It's the best deck in the format, no argument. On major tournament scale, the format is far less open than people make it out to be, with three or four decks that matter, then a bunch of other stuff. Granted, the "bunch of other stuff" has a better c
AND 
