Running The Numbers #22

Running the Numbers #22

Writers Note: If I happen to talk about your deck and you want to clarify something about how it works or its classification, you can email me at davebarone@aol.com and explain. Also, if you want your deck to be discussed then you have to post it in the event thread (note: this doesn't guarantee I'm going to) I can't really talk about a deck if I don't know what's in it.

Tournament Overview:

Event - Classic TPDC, 7.12
Format - Classic, Matches

While 3 Aggro Control decks made it through the Swiss at 3-0 this week, it was an Aggro deck taking the top spot. Also surprising is that it was a Cloak deck not named Angel Stompy (I don't mean that it isn't good, just that isn't hasn't been at the top this season a lot). First and foremost, it is clear that players need to plan for O-Blink a bit better. The deck's combined Swiss record in TPDC over the last 4 weeks is 16-4. Second, Grand Entrance is very underrated. Its season record is now 19-7 and it isn't bad vs. Blink. As for the Aggro side of things, Angel & GW Cloak both made Top 8 so Agrro isn't completely out of things, now we just need MUC to re-emerge. Overall, 25 decks played in the tournament.

TPDC 7.12: 25 Players

Control - 5: MBC (2), MUC, UB Control, Sandblaster

Aggro - 7: MGA, Angel Stompy, GW Cloak (2), MBA, UW Blink, RG Beats

Midrange (aggro control) - 8: Stars & Cogs, Grand Entrance, Orzhov Blink (3), RG Thresher, UBW AC, UB Madness

Combo - 2: Dragon Dredge, Red Storm

Aggro Combo - 2: Goblins W/Storm, Changeling Husk

Top 4 (top 8) Analysis:

When the tourney reached the elimination rounds, we ended up with these decks: two O-Blink at 3-0, Grand Entrance at 3-0, Changeling Husk, GW Cloak, Angel Stompy, Dragon Dredge, and Stars & Cogs at 2-1. I do want to mention though that MBC qualified at 2-1 for the 5 slot but did not participate in the top 8. Dragon Dredge dropped to O-Blink, Stars & Cogs took out the other O-Blink, GW Cloak took out Changeling Husk, and Grand Entrance beat Angel Stompy. In the top 4, Grand Entrance defeated Orzhov and GW Cloak defeated Stars & Cogs. In the final, GW Cloak came out the winner versus Grand Entrance. There was a time not too long ago that GW Cloak was much more widely played than Angel Stompy as the Cloak deck of choice. I think if you take a step back each have their positives and have to be picked carefully for the event they are to be played in. Certainly Angel Stompy is an excellent choice in a MUC dominated metagame. However, In a metagame with more Black based removal decks it is arguable the GW Cloak is the better choice due to its creature mix being more resistant to the commonly played removal. It is very difficult for MBC to sweep a board containing creatures such as Phantoms or GOTG, or to target creatures with a Coalition Honor Guard out. Since I already looked at a similar build earlier this season, I don't want to re-visit it. Instead we had a couple of innovating lists make the top 8 that I will look at later in the article.

The Field Analysis:

For the decks that didn't get there, three just missed out on tie-breakers. RG Thresher did well the second week in a row at 2-1. I'll say again, if you want a good Aggro-Control option give this a look. Goblin Storm also went 2-1. Its the type of deck that it will hit a day where all will go right and it will win every match, but I can't convince myself that it is consistent enough to make those days come often enough to play it or fear it. Finally, Bu Control also had a 2-1 day. I myself am working on a Bu control deck right now. I think with the available card pool something is there, just tightening and tuning is needed. As for the rest, tough to say what went wrong, but I suppose just not their day. there was an MUC deck present. I am wondering where these players are right now.

Season Tracking & Head to Heads:

Here are the season records for the top performing TPDC decks, head to heads, and most played thus far this season.

Records -
Grand Entrance: 19-7
Stars & Cogs: 21-10
Orzhov Blink: 34-19
MUC: 23-15
GW Cloak: 19-10
Angelstompy: 16-12
MBC: 20-17

Most Played -
MUC: 13
Orzhov Blink: 15
MBC: 12
RG Beats: 9
Stars & Cogs: 9

Head to Heads -

Grand Entrance:
vs - Stars & Cogs 2-0
Orzhov Blink 3-2
MUC 2-1
GW Cloak 0-1
Angelstompy 1-0
MBC 1-0

Stars & Cogs:
vs - Grand Entrance 0-2
Orzhov Blink 2-0
MUC 0-1
GW Cloak 3-1
Angelstompy DNP
MBC 2-1

Orzhov Blink:
vs Grand Entrance 2-3
Stars & Cogs 0-2
MUC 3-2
GW Cloak 1-0
Angelstompy DNP
MBC 5-2

MUC:
vs Grand Entrance 1-2
Stars & Cogs 1-0
Orzhov Blink 2-3
GW Cloak 1-1
Angelstompy 1-0
MBC 1-3

Innovations, Changes, New Decks:

I'm going to keep this light on comment because I'm going to post a couple of lists that will fill a lot of area here. We had two decks this week that were of original design (one forum developed) and both were able to make the Top 8 in their first Classic runs (to my knowledge). Being an avid designer myself, I always enjoy a rogue success, so it is good to see. Please understand however I am not touting these decks on any Top level. They are of a good quality, but I am posting them on their creative merit first. It will be interesting to see if these decks develop further.

Top 8- Changeling Husk
6 Forest
4 Swamp
4 Golgari Rot Farm
3 Terramorphic Expanse
2 Orzhov Basilica
1 Plains
4 Elves of Deep Shadow
4 Ashen-Skin Zubera
4 Dripping-Tongue Zubera
4 Carrion Feeder
4 Nantuko Husk
4 Fists of Ironwood
4 Scatter the Seeds
3 Deathspore Thallid
2 Sprout Swarm
4 Wirewood Herald
2 Nameless Inversion
1 Shields of Velis Vel

Sideboard
4 Armadillo Cloak
4 Duress
3 Ray of Revelation
1 Deathspore Thallid
2 Eyeblight's Ending
1 Sprout Swarm

Top 8 Dragon Dredge (*My Title)
1 Dragon Wings
4 Dragon Fangs
4 Dragon Scales
4 Dragon Shadow
4 Durkwood Baloth
4 Elves of Deep Shadow
4 Last Rites
4 Stinkweed Imp
4 Tangle Golem
4 Wild Mongrel
4 Terramorphic Expanse
5 Swamp
14 Forest

Sideboard
3 Grim Harvest
4 Aurochs Herd
4 Restless Dreams
4 Utopia Sprawl

Final Thoughts:

With Orzhov Blink, Stars & Cogs, and Grand Entrance atop the Tuesday game, there are a few Aggro decks nipping at their heels. With a strong week GW Cloak showed it muscles. It may be a good choice given its hearty creatures and powerful attack. Finally, where has old MUC gone? Are pilots laying under the brush for Worlds? They are a sneaky bunch after all.

Hope you enjoyed reading.

Jaknife/Dave