Faithless Brewing MTG: Modern and Pioneer for the Spike Rogue

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 7: Bonecrusher Giant

 

It's finally time to dive into Pioneer, so it's no surprise that the first card we want to brew around is... Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner? That's right, Kiora! An old favorite on Faithless Brewing, Kiora has always been secretly excellent in Modern, especially when paired with Glorybringer in a ramp shell. New additions from Eldraine have Dan interested in updating the Modern list, while David believes that the basic shell can be ported over to Pioneer as well. But that's not all that Kiora can do. Looking outside of green, David has some wilder ideas for unlocking Kiora's synergies in Esper, Grixis, and Izzet. Do any of them have what it takes to keep up in the wild west that is Pioneer?

 

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Also, Dan has a new article up at Arenadecklists.gg, covering the rules of engagement for building successful decks in Pioneer. Check it out!

https://arenadecklists.gg/pioneers-rules-of-engagement/

 

Roundup: SCG Atlanta + Week 1 of Pioneer

 

Simic Urza Oko Goose (by Zan Syed): 4th place, SCG Atlanta Modern Open

 

Boros Burn (by Lichking7): 7-1, Pioneer Challenge

 

Brew Session: Kiora in Modern and Pioneer

 

Modern lists

 

Bonecrusher Oko-Kiora (Dan): 5-0 league

For a writeup on the evolution of this deck, see this article.

 

Once Upon KiorDrazi (Dan): 5-0 league

 

Pioneer lists

Sketch #1: Gruul Ramp

Sketch #2: Esper Dragons

Sketch #3: Grixis Hollow One

Sketch #4: Izzet God-Pharaoh's Gift

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 6: New Spice from SCG Regionals

 

In this second half of our double header episode, we are tackling all things Modern: spicy brews from SCG Regionals, testing results with The Great Henge, plus Damon's Top 8 finish in his Standard MCQ in Mox Boarding House, Seattle. Does the Czech testing house's Bant Ramp deck hold lessons for Modern as well?

 

Two other important announcements this week:

 

First: We are extremely excited to announce the launch of our Faithless Brewing PATREON (https://www.patreon.com/faithlessbrewing)! Many of you have been asking us about this over these past five months, and lo, it has at last come to pass. Patreon is where you can support the show directly, and receive a variety of cool benefits as thanks, including bonus content, swag, and access to our Faithless Brewing Discord channel. We are very excited to build a community of brewers in the Faithless Family, which we hope can be a place to interact not just with us but with the many talented and creative brewers that make up our listener base. So if you like what we produce, find value in it, and want to help us make it even better, be sure to check it out!

 

Second, I mentioned that this Episode is part of a double header. The other half, which is posted as separately (as Episode 27), is already available on our channel and offers a guide to the Pioneer format from the perspective of a Modern player. We unpack the manabases, removal options, disruption tools, the most powerful cards and strategies, and how to combat them. If you are Modern player wondering how to get started brewing in Pioneer, you won't want to miss this!  

 

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Timestamps:

 

Weekend Roundup

 

 

5:21  Bant Ramp (Damon, via Czech testing house): Top 8, Standard MCQ at Mox Boarding House, Seattle

 

 

13:57  Urza Oko (by Zan Syed): 1st place, SCG Regionals Raleigh-Durham

 

 

18:23  Simic Eldrazi (by aspiringspike): 7-2 regionals, several 5-0s, also top 8 in MTGO PTQ (by C_E.L)

 

 

23:14  Foodie Niv-Mizzet (by Cameron Martinez): 1st place, SCG Regionals Knoxville

 

 

25:01  Faeburrow BTL Saheeli (David): 4-1 league

 

 

33:33  BTL Kiki Copycat (by forenmagra): four 5-0s in his last six leagues

 

 

 

Flashback: The Great Henge

 

 

35:58 Sultai Hengevine: 4-1 league

 

 

39:57 Golgari Undying: 4-1 league

 

 

45:29  Bant Monkeyhenge: 2-3 league

 

 

46:57  Mono Green Stompy: 2-3 league

 

 

54:22  Hengehammer Gruul: 4-1 league

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 5: A Brewer's Guide to Pioneer

 

Well that was unexpected.  The birth of a new format is a strange and wonderful thing. “Brewer’s paradise” is a phrase that gets thrown around often, and if that doesn’t apply to times like these, when does it ever apply? For a brewing podcast like ours, a completely unexplored format must be a dream come true.

 

The truth is that successful brewing is actually quite difficult when a metagame is completely undefined. We cannot attack a meta from unexpected angles if we ourselves have no idea what to expect.

 

So what should we expect from Pioneer? How do we build decks in this exciting new format? Fear not, you Faithless Brewers, we have you covered!

 

In this special bonus episode, we take a deep dive into the Pioneer card pool. We unpack the mana bases, removal options, the most powerful cards and strategies, and the decks you will need to be prepared for on Day 1 -- everything you need to get brewing and start battling in the queues!

 

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Timestamps

 

2:38 What is Pioneer?

 

5:18 Initial reactions + unpacking the B&R philosophy

 

11:15 Getting to know the card pool: Pioneer and Modern, compared

 

17:00 Understanding Pioneer mana bases: lands and ramp options

 

32:11 Cards that used to be banned in Standard and Modern

 

45:42 Understanding interactive tools in Pioneer: removal, sweepers, counterspells, and hand disruption

 

1:02:16 Understanding the Day 1 metagame: the most powerful strategies in the format

 

1:22 Summary: The Rules of Engagement for Day 1 of Pioneer

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 4: The Great Henge

 

Some weeks, when we pick a card to feature, we know it will be a hit. Charming Prince is a versatile role player. Emry is insanely efficient. Oko is simply Broko, and might prove too strong even for eternal formats. Brewing around these cards is a great way to get acquainted with future format staples, and maybe rack up some trophies in the process.

 

Other times, however, it is helpful to brew from the other end of the spectrum: pick a card that might prove totally unplayable, explore it to its fullest, and see where that leads. The Great Henge is one such card. Like the rest of Eldraine's mythic artifact cycle, The Great Henge demands an impossible mana investment, but offers a quest that might let you summon it on the cheap. Meeting this condition is already a giant puzzle, to say nothing of crafting a game plan that can exploit the Henge's abilities while also keeping pace with the brutal Modern format.

 

This week, our goal is to stretch our deckbuilding muscles. This means brewing in Hard Mode. Forget about 5-0s, or tuning a sideboard for the meta; these decks might not even survive the goldfishing stage. But the farther there is to climb, the more we stand to learn from the attempt. Join us as we venture to the Great Henge and beyond!

 

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Roundup: Latest Developments in Modern

 

Utopia Niv-Mizzet (Dan): Top 4, SCG IQ Danbury, Sprawls are quite good at landing a planeswalker on turn 2, which may prove more important going forward

 

Sultai Into the Story (Raphael Mark): Top 2, SCG IQ Danbury, a strong take on the Mystic Sultai hard control archetype

 

Flashback: Charming Prince

 

Naya Dubious Defector: 13-7 leagues, hilarious and powerful, struggles to play defense

 

GW Charming Challenge: 2-3 league, Iona is stronger than Woodfall Primus/Worldspine Wurm, but requires giving up Through the Breach

 

Boros Blink: 2-3 league, grinds well, but struggles to disrupt unfair decks

 

Charming Taxes: 2-3 league, relies heavily on Aether Vial and Stoneforge Mystic to present anything powerful

 

UW Charming Soulherder: 3-2 league, very strong but requires a lot of clicks and triggers to win

 

Brew Session: The Great Henge

 

Sketch #1: Golgari Hengevine

 

Sketch #2: Yolo Yorvo Combo Henge

 

Sketch #3: Basic Henge Stompy

 

Sketch #4: Arcanist Hengehammer Beats

 

Elfball Combo Henge (Meryn MTG): 5-2 in 1v1 queues

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 3: Charming Prince

 

Oko, Thief of Crowns crushed it last week. We tested five homes the new Simic walker, and the trophies just started stacking up. Sultai Faeries, Bant Okoblade, Bonecrusher Kiora, even Faeburrow Niv-Mizzet got in on the 5-0 action. 38-7 is not a normal record for our testing sessions. Was it just good luck, good decklists, or is Oko simply brok-o? What is clear at least is that the card has many hidden modes, functioning more like a six- or seven- ability walker. "Five-Oh-ko" (too much?) looks to be a multi-format staple going forward, so pick up your copies now.

 

Four trophies will be a tough act to follow, so this week the crew takes a crack at a more humble offering from Eldraine: the Charming Prince! Like Oko, Prince Charming offers three modes, but contextually they can feel like four or five. Versatility like that on a 2 drop is great, but the blink mode in particular has Dave's gears turning as potentially enabling broken plays. Can the young prince rescue our permanents from the enemy’s clutches, and stake his claim as a future Modern staple?

 

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Timestamps and Decklists

 

Flashback: Oko, Thief of Crowns

 

03:45 Bant StoneBlade: 5-0 league

12:29 Shape Anew: 2-3 league

21:14 Sultai Faeries: 9-1 leagues

30:04 Bonecrusher Kiora: 17-3 leagues

39:10 Faeburrow Niv: 5-0 league

 

Roundup: Eldraine Week Two

 

 

51:03 SCG Team Open results

52:48 Once Upon a Time, Castle Garenbrig

54:06 Emry, Lurker of the Loch

54:56 Witching Well

55:34 Mystic Sanctuary

58:35 Gingerbrute, All that Glitters

59:24 Merchant of the Vale

59:43 Fires of Invention + Fae of Wishes

1:01:15 Fires of Invention + Savor the Moment + Mystic Sanctuary

1:04:55 Glass Casket

1:05:16 The Royal Scions

1:06:18 Drown in the Loch

 

Brew Session: Charming Prince

 

 

1:09:24 Charming Prince Overview

1:11:53 Sketch 1: Wr Humble Blink

1:26:37 Sketch 2: Naya Challenge

 

Reference lists:

 

Mono-W Taxes (kaosofmind): 5-0

Mono-W Emeria (Fincown): 5-0

GW Dubious Prince (k_f_chicken): 5-0

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 2: Oko, Thief of Crowns

 

Oko, Thief of Crowns, is a mischievous trickster. He’s so devious that he tricked Wizards into printing him with three powerful abilities and a giant pile of loyalty, all for the low, low price of three mana. Already poised to dominate Standard, the crew thinks Oko will be flaunting his skills in Modern in the very near future, and Dave has six new decklists to prove it.

 

Also, Dan has a new article up on Arenadecklists.gg: a comprehensive Brewer’s Guide to Throne of Eldraine! Expanding on our discussions in the podcast and analyzing 65 cards across four different Top 10 lists (math checks out, right?) this article has everything you need to start brewing with one of the most exciting new releases that Modern has ever seen. You won’t want to miss it!

 

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Dan’s Article: A Brewer's Guide to Throne of Eldraine

https://arenadecklists.gg/2019/10/02/a-brewers-guide-to-mtgeld-in-modern/

 

Damon’s Tournament Results

 

Rainbow Niv-Mizzet (Damon): 6-2 Modern challenge, 5-0 league

Brazen Cutthroat Kiki (Damon, based on kahluah777’s 5-0 list): 5-0 league

 

Roundup: Throne of Eldraine Week 1

 

Paradoxical Emry (Kevslinger): 7-1 Modern Challenge

Emry Ascendancy (Rav104): 5-0 League

Wishclaw EmrySword (haubidtran): 5-0 league

Grixis Into the Story (aspiringspike): 5-0 league

Charming Emeria (Fincown): 5-0 league

 

Dubious Prince (k_f_chicken): 5-0 league

 

Gilded Skies (internetsurfer09): 5-0 league

Questing Stompy (fluffywolf2): 5-0 league

Once Upon a Bogle (__matsugan): 5-0 league

Glitterbrute Affinity (sandahl123): 5-0 league

SnowKo Niv-Mizzet (rodebo): 5-0 league, 4-1 league

 

Brew Session: Oko, Thief of Crowns

 

Sketch #1: Sultai Faeries

Sketch #2: Oko Shape Anew

Sketch #3: 4c Saheeli

Sketch #4: Bant OkoBlade

Sketch #5: Arcades Herder

Sketch #6: Faeburrow Niv-Mizzet (update: Damon notched a 5-0 with this updated list!)

 

Reference lists:

 

Bant OkoBlade (UBERMIKEYB): 3rd place, Modern Challenge

4c SnowKo Saheeli (Gab Nassif): 6-2, Modern Challenge

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 1: Emry, Lurker of the Loch

 

Eldraine is upon us, and Emry, Lurker of the Loch is the talk of Modern Town. In fact, we wrote an entire strategy guide for the card the very day it was spoiled. Our analysis contained one error, though: "Stoneforge Fishstick" is not the most appropriate nickname for the Lady in the Lake. Her power level warrants a more distinguished pedigree: nothing less than "Deathrite Salmon." This week, the crew unpacks five different ways to break Modern wide open with the new legendary merfolk. There's more than one way to fry a fish!

 

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Timestamps

 

03:02  Niv-Mizzet Reborn (Damon): 5-2 Modern Challenge. Graveyard decks and Urza combo are currently ascendant in the metagame; plan accordingly.

 

Flashback: Green Week

 

08:57 GW Leyline Elves: 3-2 league, needs more speed and redundancy in the combo to compensate for lower overall power

 

14:08 Genesis Devotion (by u/Cube_): 8-7 leagues, capable of truly astonishing combo turns, but struggles to interact with other linear/degenerate decks

 

25:17 Unbound Devotion: 5-5 leagues, Llanowar Tribe is solid and Hydroid Krasis is capable of carrying the deck. Still struggles with the same spread of matchups as the other green devotion lists

 

36:17 Unbound Revelation (by u/DiogenesCane): uses Heartbeat of Spring and Finale of Revelation for a Time Spiral-like effect, as described here

 

41:49 "Hogaak-less Hogaak" (sketch): an attempt to graft the Saffi+Rallier combo into a Vengevine aggro shell

 

44:41 Rallier Combo (by Aaron Westbrook): a variant using Kaya's Ghostform for redundancy in combo pieces

 

 

Roundup: Eldraine Top Ten

 

 

51:10 (HM) Grumgully, the Generous

 

53:01 (HM) Witching Well

 

54:50 (#10) Brazen Borrower

 

58:57 (#9) Glass Casket

 

1:01:10 (#8) Wishclaw Talisman

 

1:05:33 (#7) Castle Garenbrig

 

1:10:07 (#6) The Royal Scions

 

1:14:50 (#5) Oko, Thief of Crowns

 

1:16:33 (#4) Drown in the Loch

 

1:18:51 (#3) Mystic Sanctuary

 

1:22:32 (#2) Emry, Lurker of the Loch

 

1:24:17 (#1) Once Upon a Time

 

 

Brew Session: Emry, Lurker of the Loch

 

 

1:29:25 The Core Emry Package

 

1:33:17 UrzaSword

 

1:33:50 Jeskai Ascendancy

 

1:39:12 Paradox Engine

 

1:41:54 Paradoxical Outcome

 

1:46:51 Kethis, the Hidden Hand

 

1:55:11 Fair Decks with Emry

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 15: Leyline of Abundance + Eldraine Previews

 

 

 

It's finally here: Green Week! After a long and arduous Hogaak summer, the metagame has finally slowed enough to potentially reward a strategy of flooding the battlefield with green permanents. Core 2020's Leyline of Abundance has been waiting in the wings, offering explosive starts with mana dorks, as well as a few sneaky infinite combos. Also, did somebody say two free pips for Nykthos? The crew breaks down fresh new takes on Leyline Combo, Unbound Flourishing, and Green Devotion.

 

Plus: a host of spicy previews from Throne of Eldraine, including bonus decklists!

 

 

 

Roundup: Niv-Mizzet Takes Flight

 

 

 

It was a big week for Niv-Mizzet Reborn, as this Faithless Brewing Original has officially ascended to Tier 2 status (at least, according to the wise sages at the Arena Decklists Podcast). But don't just take their word for it. The tournament results speak for themselves, with Niv putting up strong results at MCQs both in paper and online.

 

 

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Glittering Niv (Ihavethefire): 1st place, MCQ Pittsburgh

 

 

 

Ramp-less Niv (Damon): 6-2 MCQ Seattle, 6-4 MTGO PTQ, 5-0 league x2

 

 

 

Traverse Niv (cavedan): 6-3 MTGO PTQ

 

 

 

Flashback: Kethis, the Hidden Hand

 

 

 

We'll be straight up, these decks sucked. Even Matt Nass's build could barely win a game. Not all is lost, however: the Saffi combo proved strong enough to possibly become its own version of the deck, and Emry, Lurker of the Loch means that help is on the way for dedicated Kethis Kombo.

 

 

 

Project Keth-eX: 3-7 practice matches, curve felt too slow, Kethis combo less well integrated than Saffi combo

 

 

 

Kethis "KCI" (Matt Nass, test deck): 0-5 practice matches, deck folded to everything, mana was horrendous

 

 

 

Emry Kethis Combo (Sam Black, test deck)

 

 

 

"Hogaak-less Hogaak" (test deck): re-built for speed and to maximize Saffi combo, with potential for turn 2 kill (Carrion Feeder -> Stitcher's Supplier into Unearth on Renegade Rallier, return Saffi, attack for lethal).

 

 

 

Throne of Eldraine Previews

 

 

 

Specter's Shriek (Bonus list: BW Processor Eldrazi) -- Bonecrusher Giant (Bonus list: Bonecrusher Kiora) -- Grumgully, the Generous (Bonus list: Grumgully Goblins) -- Torbran, Thane of Red Fell -- Drown in the Loch -- Faeburrow Elder -- Merchant of the Vale (Haggle) -- Irencrag Feat -- Fires of Invention -- Vantress Gargoyle -- The Magic Mirror -- The Cauldron of Eternity -- Witching Well -- Oko, Thief of Crowns (Bonus list: Faerie Foodies)

 

 

Brew Session: Leyline of Abundance

 

 

 

Sketch #1: GW Leyline Elves

 

 

 

Sketch #2: Unbound Flourishing

 

 

 

Sketch #3: Nissa Devotion

 

 

 

Sketch #4: Genesis Wave (designed by u/Cube_)

 

 

 

Reference lists:

 

 

 

Leyline Combo (PVDDR, test deck)

 

 

 

Leyline Combo 2 (PVDDR, test deck)

 

 

 

Devoted Elves (tagosaku, 5-0 league)

 

 

 

Bant Abundance (Jon Stern, MC Barcelona; Jeremie Ross, 5-0 league)

 

 

 

Steel Leaf Stompy (Ryan Robinson, 1st place SCG IQ)

Faithless Brewing, Episode 20: Kethis, the Hidden Hand

 

Throne of Eldraine is around the corner and the previews are coming fast and furious. Some look sweet, some look strange, and some look downright broken, including a certain strange woman lying in a pond distributing swords. That's no basis for a system of government.

 

In the meantime, though, we've got unfinished business with Core Set 2020. Kethis, the Hidden Hand had a surprising breakout late in the Standard season, anchoring a slick combo deck full of powerful legendaries. Modern has even more enticing options, but can this bizarre strategy withstand the transition to the lightning-fast eternal format? Or should Kethis be reimagined as the centerpiece of a midrange build? The crew has some ideas, so let's discuss!

 

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Flashback: Kiora and Niv-Mizzet

 

Ramp-less Niv-Mizzet (cavedan): Top 8 SCG IQ

 

Ramp-less Niv-Mizzet (Ihavethefire): 12-0 Modern Playoffs

 

Kiora Dragons: 10-10 leagues

 

Kiora Eldrazi: 11-4 leagues

 

Bonus list: Cat Jesus Returns (sketch)

 

Throne of Eldraine Previews

 

Dave has eight spicy hot takes on exciting new contenders for Modern, and Damon and Dan are eager to prove him wrong. Plus, don't miss our in-depth written article on the most dangerous card in the set, Emry, Lurker of the Loch!

 

Stoneforge Fishstick: A Brewer's Guide to Emry, Lurker of the Loch

 

Bonus list: Emry Ascendancy (sketch)

 

Brew Session: Kethis, the Hidden Hand

 

Sketch #1: 4c Value Kethis

 

 

Sketch #2: Keth-sper Goryo's

 

 

Sketch #3: Project Keth-eX

 

 

Reference lists:

 

Standard Kethis Combo (Ondrej Strasky)

 

 

Kethis "KCI" (Matt Nass, test deck)

 

Abzan Kethis Station (yooisa, test deck)

 

Kethis Erayo (anonymous, test deck)

 

Kethis Emry Combo (Sam Black, test deck)

Modern Horizons / Core 2020, Episode 13: Kiora, Niv-Mizzet, Kolaghan's Command

 

Faithless Looting is gone, and our beloved "non-rotating" format is in upheaval once again. Tournament results are trickling in, but in the Magic Online leagues, it's the Wild West: everyone has dusted off their midrange decks, hoping that strategies that have always fared poorly will finally get a chance to breathe in a graveyard-free Modern. It is a great time to be a brewer.

 

With seemingly endless possibilities to explore, this week the crew revisits some old favorites: Faithless Brews that were powerful before Modern Horizons, but couldn't keep up with the madness of Hogaak Summer. We discuss new builds of RG Kiora Dragons, Rainbow Niv-Mizzet, and old school Grixis Control. Are these old challengers ready to compete for the top tier of the new Modern? Let's discuss!

 

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Flashback: Stoneforge Mystic

 

 

UW Stoneblade (D00mswitch): 3-2 league

 

 

Jeskai QuellBlade: 2-3 league

 

 

Bant Devoted Blade (bobinchese): 4-1 league

 

 

Brew Session: New Takes on Old Favorites

 

 

Kiora's Dragons (post-Hogaak update)

 

 

Rainbow Niv-Mizzet (post-Hogaak update)

 

 

Grixis Control