TES Infernal Tutoring #42

Since our last article, the Legacy format has managed to dodge another Banned & Restricted announcement, which is pretty miraculous given the track record of this previous year. As far as The EPIC Storm goes, the deck lists have been mostly the same — with the exception of one crazy list that opted to play no copies of [[Rite of Flame]]! In fact, that just so happens to be the list we are running in this month’s Infernal Tutoring!

Christopher Virula

Special Guest

Christopher Virula

(Twitter: @chris_virula | MTGO: cometa183 )

Christopher Virula is an industrial engineer from Guatemala and has been playing Magic since he was just a child! Christopher has great results in events such as Pro Tour Dragons of Tarkir (17th place), 5th in the World Magic Cup 2015 with the Guatemala National Team, and a top 8 finish in the RedBull Untapped International Tournament this year. Christopher plays a lot online under the username Cometa183 and recently has a Legacy Challenge top 8 with The EPIC Storm!

Deck List

the epic Storm

Main Deck

  • 4 [[Burning Wish]]
  • 4 [[Wishclaw Talisman]]
  • 4 [[Brainstorm]]
  • 4 [[Ponder]]
  • 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
  • 1 [[Ad Nauseam]]
  • 1 [[Echo of Eons]]
  • 4 [[Veil of Summer]]
  • 3 [[Thoughtseize]]
  • 1 [[Chain of Vapor]]
  • 4 [[Dark Ritual]]
  • 4 [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]
  • 4 [[Lotus Petal]]
  • 4 [[Mox Opal]]
  • 4 [[Chrome Mox]]
  • 4 [[Bloodstained Mire]]
  • 2 [[Polluted Delta]]
  • 1 [[Verdant Catacombs]]
  • 1 [[Underground Sea]]
  • 1 [[Tropical Island]]
  • 1 [[Volcanic Island]]
  • 1 [[Taiga]]
  • 1 [[Badlands]]
  • 1 [[Swamp]]

Sideboard

  • 3 [[Carpet of Flowers]]
  • 2 [[Abrupt Decay]]
  • 1 [[Chain of Vapor]]
  • 1 [[Echoing Truth]]
  • 1 [[Crash]]
  • 1 [[Thoughtseize]]
  • 1 [[Grapeshot]]
  • 1 [[Empty the Warrens]]
  • 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
  • 1 [[Pulverize]]
  • 1 [[Echo of Eons]]
  • 1 [[Peer into the Abyss]]

SITUATION No. 1 — The EPIC Storm

We are currently playing against the best deck in the format — the mirror!

SIDEBOARDING:

-1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +1 [[Thoughtseize]]

We are currently in game three on the play. Our opponent managed to cast [[Echo of Eons]] on their first turn, but ended up not being able to kill us. On our second turn, we were able to cast our own copy of [[Echo of Eons]] (from within our deck). We drew a [[Badlands]], [[Thoughtseize]], [[Mox Opal]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Burning Wish]], and a [[Chrome Mox]]. We have a lot of options here, but we also gave our opponent seven fresh cards. How do you play out your turn to either win or put yourself in a winning situation?

Situation 1

Special Guest

Christopher Virula

Christopher Virula

The first thing to look for here is if we actually can kill our opponent with a [[Tendrils of Agony]]. The problem is we lose to a [[Veil of Summer]], meaning we need to take a defensive play using the black mana floating to [[Thoughtseize]] the opponent to either take out that [[Veil of Summer]] or take a card in order to not die on their turn! Cast [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint [[Burning Wish]]) and cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]] because if you are able to combo on the following turn, you will be in a spot where you can search for [[Ad Nauseam]] with [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and cast it!

#TEAMTES

Josh Hughes

Josh Hughes

I think in this scenario, I would just risk it and go for a [[Tendrils of Agony]] line. There is a very big chance that our opponent has the [[Veil of Summer]], but this is one I am willing to risk.


Bryant Cook

Bryant Cook

There are two options:

  • Cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Thoughtseize]]), [[Mox Opal]], [[Burning Wish]], and then [[Tendrils of Agony]] for lethal.
  • Cast [[Dark Ritual]], [[Wishclaw Talisman]], activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Thoughtseize]]), [[Burning Wish]] for [[Echo of Eons]], sacrifice your hand to [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and then Flashback [[Echo of Eons]].

Each line has their own downside, the first line just flat out loses to [[Veil of Summer]] and the second option is an [[Echo of Eons]] with a single mana floating that would need to find a way to win from there.


Alex Poling

Alex Poling

Using the floating black mana, I would cast [[Dark Ritual]] to have three black mana. I would then use two of that black mana to cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]], [[Mox Opal]], and [[Chrome Mox]] imprinting [[Thoughtseize]]. Using the last floating black mana, I would activate the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to tutor for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I now have access to six mana with the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Badlands]], [[Mox Opal]], and [[Chrome Mox]], so I can now [[Burning Wish]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]].


Alex McKinley

Alex McKinley

Our opponent has us in a virtual checkmate due to having more than six mana and a [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. Passing the turn or casting [[Thoughtseize]] do not lead to winning positions. Our opponent may have a [[Veil of Summer]], but taking that chance leads to the most winning games. I would start by casting [[Chrome Mox]] (imprint [[Thoughtseize]]), then casting [[Mox Opal]]. [[Dark Ritual]] gives enough mana to cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and activate it to find [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. This gives us Metalcraft to be able to [[Burning Wish]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]].


Landon Sworts

Landon Sworts

To be honest, I think I’m just going to take the simple route to fetch the sideboard copy of [[Tendrils of Agony]]. The opponent could have [[Veil of Summer]], but I’m fine with forcing them to have it. [[Thoughtseize]] exiles to [[Chrome Mox]], [[Dark Ritual]] gets out [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to turn on Metalcraft. We can search for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] culminating in our opponent scooping to a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] trigger on the stack.


Theo Andresier

Theo Andresier

Using a hypergeometric calculator (Which I have probably gotten wrong), we can determine that there is a 40 percent chance that they would have drawn one of the four-of [[Veil of Summer]], and therefore a 60 percent chance they haven’t!. I would be inclined to play the following: cast [[Chrome Mox]] and imprint the [[Thoughtseize]], cast [[Dark Ritual]] off the [[Chrome Mox]] and play out the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and [[Mox Opal]] (sacrificing the tapped [[Mox Opal]]). I would use the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and play it. We end up with a possible three mana, a [[Burning Wish]], a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and a storm count of 10 – which is enough to grab the [[Tendrils of Agony]] from the sideboard and go for 12 copies.

SITUATION No. 2 — BUG Delver

Despite being one of the less popular [[Delver of Secrets]] strategies, BUG Delver has a suite of powerful tools against The EPIC Storm. These cards including [[Thoughtseize]], [[Spell Snare]], and [[Plague Engineer]]. It backs up these disruptive elements with large creature threats such as [[Tarmogoyf]], [[Nimble Mongoose]], and of course — [[Delver of Secrets]].

SIDEBOARDING:

-2 [[Mox Opal]], -2 [[Chrome Mox]], -1 [[Chain of Vapor]], +3 [[Carpet of Flowers]], +2 [[Abrupt Decay]]

We had set up a scenario where we were going to cast the newly printed [[Peer into the Abyss]]. Unfortunately, our opponent drew [[Thoughtseize]] for turn. We attempted to stop the [[Thoughtseize]] using [[Veil of Summer]], but were met with a hard-cast [[Force of Negation]]. On our turn, we drew a second copy of [[Carpet of Flowers]] and cast it. From there, we used the mana generated from our [[Carpet of Flowers]] that was already in play to cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. What’s the play from here?

Situation 2

Special Guest

Christopher Virula

Christopher Virula

There are two available lines:

  • Cast [[Ad Nauseam]], but we are low on life and that means we need to get a little lucky to kill the opponent.
  • Pass the turn, and on the next turn search for [[Echo of Eons]] and cast it (with a new freshly drawn card in hand). We have the risk that our opponent draws something to interact with us on their turn.

I would side with the [[Echo of Eons]] line because we are more likely to see more cards with [[Echo of Eons]] to win the game than we are with [[Ad Nauseam]] due to our life-total.

#TEAMTES

Josh Hughes

Josh Hughes

While the wild man in me is tempted to grab [[Ad Nauseam]] with the one mana floating in our mana pool, and then cast [[Ad Nauseam]] in my second main phase with the extra mana from [[Carpet of Flowers]], I think the more mature play would be to grab [[Abrupt Decay]] from my library with the one mana floating and then kill our opponent’s [[Delver of Secrets]] with green mana from [[Carpet of Flowers]] in the second main phase.


Bryant Cook

Bryant Cook

This is an interesting spot. We can move to second main phase and then cast [[Ad Nauseam]] from six life, which is admittedly very risky but is it better than the alternative? We can also just pass the turn and hard cast [[Echo of Eons]] next turn, there are two downsides to this line. The first being we’ll be unable to Flashback [[Echo of Eons]] due to [[Grafdigger’s Cage]] and that our opponent will also draw seven cards. I believe that the six life line is too risky, especially when you’ve sided out two [[Chrome Mox]] and two [[Mox Opal]]. Because of this, I’d roll the dice on [[Echo of Eons]] being powerful enough to win the game on the following turn.


Alex Poling

Alex Poling

I would just pass the turn here. On my next turn, my plan would be to use make six blue mana from the [[Carpet of Flowers]]. If I drew a mana source, I would have 10 mana and can use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to tutor for [[Echo of Eons]]. The extra nine mana would allow me to cast it and then flash it back if it were to get countered.


Alex McKinley

Alex McKinley

This situation leaves two options: pass the turn and then hard cast [[Echo of Eons]] or cast [[Ad Nauseam]] this turn. Our opponent only has one card in hand and is tapped out, which means that the only card they could have to interact with is [[Daze]]. Despite being at six life, I think that the best play is to just cast [[Ad Nauseam]] this turn. The amount of interaction the opponent can have goes up next turn, and I’d rather take the risk this turn. I’d activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] using the floating black mana to find [[Ad Nauseam]], then I’d move to my second main phase and cast [[Ad Nauseam]] and hope it works out.


Landon Sworts

Landon Sworts

If I’m understanding this correctly we can still make mana with our second copy of [[Carpet of Flowers]]. Let’s use our floating mana to active [[Wishclaw Talisman]], retrieve [[Ad Nauseam]]. Let’s move to our secondary main phase and use our second copy of everyone’s favorite green enchantment to cast the only card in our hand for a “hail mary” from six life. #yolo


Theo Andresier

Theo Andresier

I would use the floating black mana to activate the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and get [[Burning Wish]], pass to my second main-phase, and cast it with the mana off of the second [[Carpet of Flowers]]. From the [[Burning Wish]], I would get [[Grapeshot]] cast it to deal two damage to the [[Delver of Secrets]] and two damage to them. We could have gone for an [[Ad Nauseam]] instead, but from six life it would be a struggle and that doesn’t play around a [[Daze]].

SITUATION No. 3 — Esper Stoneblade

Esper Stoneblade is a midrange deck that looks to control their opponent with countermagic and removal while finishing the match with a [[Stoneforge Mystic]] and [[Batterskull]]. The Esper lists also introduce cards like [[Thoughtseize]] into the mix, so they can proactively rip your hand apart, while also playing defensively with countermagic.

We’re in game one on the draw against Esperblade. Since our [[Thoughtseize]] (which revealed: [[Snapcaster Mage]], [[Snapcaster Mage]], [[Brainstorm]], [[Force of Will]], and [[Umezawa’s Jitte]]) resolved on turn four they’ve had two full turn cycles in which the opponent was able to activate [[Jace, the Mind Sculptor]]’s [[Brainstorm]] ability twice. It is now turn six, how do you navigate this sticky situation?

Situation 3

Special Guest

Christopher Virula

Christopher Virula

The first thing to note is that at this point the opponent has seen six cards with the [[Brainstorm]] ability of [[Jace, the Mind Sculptor]] and one of them is a land that was played on their turn. We know that they have at least [[Snapcaster Mage]] for [[Dovin’s Veto]] available, and in the worst case scenario 2-3 more free counterspells such as [[Force of Will]] or [[Force of Negation]]. Wwe can’t pass the turn again because our time is running out due to the card advantage engine.

I would play first both copies of [[Dark Ritual]] to make then search for [[Dark Ritual]] with one [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and then cast the new [[Dark Ritual]]. Now cast [[Mox Opal]] and then [[Veil of Summer]] from hand! They must counter it with the [[Snapcaster Mage]] into [[Dovin’s Veto]] because if they don’t, then we search another [[Veil of Summer]] with the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and then cast it! If they counter that copy of [[Veil of Summer]], we can activate our [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]] to kill our opponent even through another free counterspell effect!

It is possible that the opponent doesn’t use [[Snapcaster Mage]] into [[Dovin’s Veto]] and that would put us in a position where they can can counter the original copy of [[Tendrils of Agony]] with [[Dovin’s Veto]], but I think we need to rake the risk.

#TEAMTES

Josh Hughes

Josh Hughes

I think this scenario is one where your next moves will rely heavily on what your opponent does. With that said, I would start by playing out my [[Mox Opal]], then both copies of [[Dark Ritual]] with the [[Swamp]]. If our opponent tried to counter those, I would most likely attempt to [[Veil of Summer]]. I think the goal of my turn would be to land a [[Veil of Summer]] and [[Echo of Eons]].


Bryant Cook

Bryant Cook

This was a cool submission. I’d lead off on [[Mox Opal]] as it’s unlikely to be countered and can help provide mana for casting multiple copies of [[Veil of Summer]]. From here, attempt to resolve the pair of [[Dark Ritual]] off of [[Swamp]]. The tricky part here is a smart opponent will fight at this spot since it’s where we’re the weakest. You have two copies of [[Veil of Summer]] available, but I don’t suspect it will be enough. Hypothetically, once the two copies of [[Dark Ritual]] resolve, cast [[Veil of Summer]] in [[Silence]] mode. This will likely draw out a [[Snapcaster Mage]] for [[Dovin’s Veto]]. We can now activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for another copy of [[Veil of Summer]] which should be stopped by the known [[Force of Will]]. We can now use our last [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]]. This situation is a lot of, “what ifs” that need to go right.


Alex Poling

Alex Poling

I would tap the [[Swamp]] and cast both copies of [[Dark Ritual]]. I would then play out the [Mox Opal]] and tap it and use two of the floating black mana to activate all of the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to get [[Veil of Summer]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Echo of Eons]]. I now have two copies of [[Veil of Summer]], [[Echo of Eons]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] with three black floating mana, an untapped [[Taiga]], and an untapped [[Tropical Island]]. Use both green sources to cast both copies of [[Veil of Summer]]. These will get countered by the [[Force of Will]] and the [[Snapcaster Mage]] casting the [[Dovin’s Veto]]. From there, I would play and sacrifice the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to put [[Echo of Eons]] in the graveyard and flash it back. Hopefully they don’t have a third counterspell.


Alex McKinley

Alex McKinley

My goal in this situation is to lead my opponent into a spot where natural [[Tendrils of Agony]] will win the game. I would start by tapping [[Tropical Island]] to activate the first [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and find [[Lotus Petal]]. This is because I need the Storm later on, and I need a card the opponent is unlikely to counter. I would then cast all of the mana in my hand, starting with the [[Lotus Petal]] and the [[Mox Opal]] (Storm 4). If the opponent tries to interact with any of the spells or once all of the mana resolves, I would cast the [[Veil of Summer]] that is in hand already (Storm 6). I would assume that our opponent has many counter spells and would interact with the [[Veil of Summer]]. Once they do so, I would use one of the floating mana to activate the first [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and find another [[Veil of Summer]] (Storm 8). Even if neither of the copies of [[Veil of Summer]] resolve, this still leaves enough mana to activate the last [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and cast a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]]. Hopefully the opponent does not have four pieces of interaction as that would beat this line, but this line beats at least three counter spells.


Landon Sworts

Landon Sworts

I would probably just start casting spells waiting for the right moments to respond with [[Veil of Summer]] from our hand and retrieved copies with [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. The unknown cards in the opponents hand add variables so I would try to stay loose, avoid tunnel vision, and watch for an opportunity to take a combo line with a remaining [[Wishclaw Talisman]].


Theo Andresier

Theo Andresier

We can assume with quiet confidence that our opponent has at least two counterspells here, but luckily we have the answers to this! With three [[Wishclaw Talisman]]s out on the field, I believe our opponent is less likely to counter our [[Dark Ritual]] and will be aiming for a buisness card such as [[Burning Wish]]. I would start by playing the [[Mox Opal]] out (I am not expecting them to try and counter that), and then look to cast the [[Dark Ritual]]s. With five black mana, one opal, and two lands, I would activate a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] using a black and find a [[Veil of Summer]] and another to find a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I would then start the fight by casting the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] I tutored for and cast a [[Veil of Summer]] both if they try and counter it and if not. I would use the second [[Veil of Summer]] if they attempted to counter that one. Using the three black mana and the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], I would activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and find [[Ad Nauseam]] to go from there!

In closing, I just wanted to give Bryant Cook a shoutout for his top-eight finish in this last weekend’s Legacy Challenge. For some pretty insane matchups, make sure you check out the videos here.


Want to see your play?

Moving forward, I will continue to do one scenario a month, but we’re now allowing for fan-based submissions for “Infernal Tutoring!” In order to submit, scroll down to the footer to the contact form. Attach your screenshot, describe the situation in detail, and press submit!

Disclaimer: Regarding the details of the scenarios, we do not want what the outcome of the situation is. For example, if the question is, “Do I go for it here?” do not tell the team if your opponent had [[Force of Will]] or not. This information honestly doesn’t matter for our purposes and it doesn’t change the answer if it’s correct or not to cast the business spell. Thank you for your understanding.

Instructions

  • Use the subject line of “Infernal Tutoring”
  • Write what list you are playing and if there’s anything special about your list compared to the current stock version. Scenarios that contain the current list are more likely to be selected.
  • If possible, please resize your images to be no larger than 1400px wide and preferably under 125kb. This will make our job easier, if you’re unfamiliar how to do this that’s okay too. Still message us with your scenarios!