TES Infernal Tutoring #61

The EPIC Storm is taking a big step forward with v13.7 to address the meta shifts that Legacy has seen over the past months. With the addition of Initiative cards to MTGO and a larger player focus on Initiative decks, it was time to change. The EPIC Storm has evolved over the past couple months to meet the demands of the new format, but when the site writers discussed current thoughts, we realized more drastic shifts were required.

Let’s set the stage for these changes. The Legacy meta can be broken into three sections (for the purpose of this discussion at least):

  • Tier 1: UR Delver and Initiative. The de facto “best decks” of the format right now. Combined, they make up almost HALF of decks in larger events right now. This is potentially a concerning trend, but it may be too early to accurately determine the health of the format. A two-deck meta is unlikely to be an enjoyable one, but it does offer a space for unique metagame strategies to evolve. “Solved” formats are where deckbuilding and event prep truly shine. This can open up the opportunity for Tier 2 decks to spike an event.
  • Tier 2: Decks that think they have a favorable matchup against one or more Tier 1 strategies. Certainly there has not been a major breakthrough for a single deck that has favorable matchups against both UR Delver and Initiative. But Elves, Painter, and Cephalid Breakfast are all contenders in this tier. We would like to think that The EPIC Storm is also in this tier with the changes we will discuss shortly. However, it is important to note that no deck is destroying one of the Tier 1 decks, they’re simply too strong.
  • Tier 3: Most other decks exist in this space. Either ones that have yet to adapt to the new meta or cannot. Naya Depths has struggled against the rise of Initiative as has [[Doomsday]]. Both decks were kings recently but struggle now. Control piles have also fallen off drastically, but there is usually a “lag phase” while Control works to adjust their plans — a strength akin to UR Delver in that they can always adjust for a particular method. The jury is still out on how they will fight the top two decks at once.

With all of this ground work in mind, let’s talk about The EPIC Storm and a difficult realization that needs to be made. Green just isn’t cutting it in this meta. [[Veil of Summer]] is such a powerful card in the right matchup for sure. One-mana [[Cryptic Command]] can destroy an opponent’s resolve as easily as it stops their interaction. [[Abrupt Decay]] is a comfortable card to have that you can rely on to resolve without question. Both of these cards are difficult to work with against Initiative though. Change needed to be made and that change is getting rid of Green.

[[Orim’s Chant]] and [[Silence]] are excellent as replacements to [[Veil of Summer]]. In addition to functioning similarly against Blue matchups, the ability to pseudo-[[Time Walk]] an opponent by casting [[Silence]] in their Upkeep adds additional uses in the Initiative matchup (among others) meaning that there are no truly dead cards in our maindeck configuration. Another big reason for the inclusion of these cards is the increased play [[Mindbreak Trap]] is seeing. All of this coalesces into our decision to add White as our protection color over Green. With that change made, we have an additional benefit in our sideboard. [[Prismatic Ending]] can be used! One of the best removal spells ever printed, this also allows maindeck outs to cards that we previously could never beat. Being a sideboard card for [[Burning Wish]] to pick up, our flexibility in non-Blue matchups has increased. Additionally, our sideboard has been designed with the new meta in mind. Using [[Wishclaw Talisman]] as a way to find the one-of bullets in [[Crash]] and [[Slaughter Pact]] can open slots for a full playset of [[Prismatic Ending]].

Overall, we are pretty happy with how The EPIC Storm v13.7 turned out. In fact, our own Bryant Cook had a Top 8 finish in the most recent Legacy Showcase Challenge! After reading this article, go see it in action on our YouTube channel. Hopefully, the new plan intrigues you. Let’s take it out for a spin with three situations and see if the changes feel good.

Caleb Durward

Special Guest

Caleb Durward

(Twitch: calebdmtg | Twitter: @calebdmtg

Caleb Durward is a full-time streamer with a background in brewing and live tournament play. He has several legacy GP top eights, and has the highest sealed rating on the mtgeloproject.

A cube specialist, last year he managed to stream a 38-match win streak, and later became the first CubeCon champion.

Caleb lives in Madison, Wisconsin where he rarely leaves his house. You can find him oh both Twitch and Twitter.

Deck List

the epic Storm

Main Deck

  • 4 [[Brainstorm]]
  • 4 [[Mishra’s Bauble]]
  • 4 [[Wishclaw Talisman]]
  • 4 [[Burning Wish]]
  • 3 [[Galvanic Relay]]
  • 1 [[Ad Nauseam]]
  • 1 [[Echo of Eons]]
  • 2 [[Orim’s Chant]]
  • 2 [[Silence]]
  • 4 [[Rite of Flame]]
  • 4 [[Dark Ritual]]
  • 4 [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]
  • 4 [[Lotus Petal]]
  • 4 [[Mox Opal]]
  • 3 [[Chrome Mox]]
  • 4 [[Bloodstained Mire]]
  • 2 [[Scalding Tarn]]
  • 1 [[Marsh Flats]]
  • 1 [[Underground Sea]]
  • 1 [[Volcanic Island]]
  • 1 [[Bayou]]
  • 1 [[Scrubland]]
  • 1 [[Plateau]]

Sideboard

  • 4 [[Prismatic Ending]]
  • 3 [[Thoughtseize]]
  • 1 [[Slaughter Pact]]
  • 1 [[Crash]]
  • 1 [[Galvanic Relay]]
  • 1 [[Empty the Warrens]]
  • 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
  • 1 [[Pulverize]]
  • 1 [[Echo of Eons]]
  • 1 [[Peer into the Abyss]]

SITUATION No. 1 — Initiative

The new kid on the block, so new in fact, that lists are still in their infancy! There have been several players that have devoted the time to exploring this archetype thoroughly. Through this focus, new tools have been found and card numbers have been adjusted. [[Once Upon a Time]] was a solid inclusion, for instance. Likewise, [[Stoneforge Mystic]] is no longer seeing play. [[Archon of Emeria]], a card despised by most Storm players may be decreasing in number as lists begin to plan for the mirror more. Hallelujah!

Let’s start from the beginning though. Initiative is an aggressive creature-based deck that seeks to overwhelm its opponents through mana and card advantage. Using [[Ancient Tomb]] and [[Chrome Mox]] to power out potent three-mana creatures, recouping the early cards lost in this explosive start is easy with the Initiative mechanic and the Monarch mechanic. [[White Plume Adventurer]] and [[Seasoned Dungeoneer]] allow venturing into the [[Undercity]] — a Commander mechanic that is much more powerful in a 1-v-1 format. [[Palace Jailer]] can introduce the Monarch mechanic into the game for even more advantage. These creatures are backed by [[Solitude]], [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]], [[Anointed Peacekeeper]], and others. With a powerful disruptive element to the deck, Storm decks need to plan their games out carefully. One misspent mana or one delayed action could mean the differenc between victory and defeat. In particular, winning game one is important. This insures that a game three (if one is played) would be on the play. When on the play, we have the ability to lean into the explosive nature of being a Combo deck.

SIDEBOARDING:

-3 [[Galvanic Relay]], -2 [[Orim’s Chant]], -2 [[Silence]], -1 [[Mishra’s Bauble]]; +3 [[Prismatic Ending]], +3 [[Thoughtseize]], +1 [[Crash]], +1 [[Slaughter Pact]]

Our first scenario starts at the beginning of our fourth turn in game two. Facing down both a [[Chalice of the Void]] with one Charge counter and a [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]], our combo turn will need to start with these being removed. With both [[Pulverize]] and [[Slaughter Pact]] in hand, we have the ability to do exactly that. A previous turn saw us [[Burning Wish]] for the pink elephant, and we are reaping the rewards now. How do we need to sequence this turn to properly navigate the hate permanents across the battlefield? Do we have a lethal follow up?

Situation 1

Special Guest

Caleb Durward

Caleb Durward

Seems pretty straightforward. Float four mana, use one for [[Slaughter Pact]], activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Dark Ritual]], cast [[Pulverize]], double [[Dark Ritual]] into [[Ad Nauseam]] with a land drop and a mana floating. This doesn’t beat [[Mindbreak Trap]], but hey you can’t beat everything.

#TEAMTES

Jordan Karim

Jordan Karim

Nice and easy to start off right? At least we can practice careful sequencing! I think that we can be unbothered by [[Mindbreak Trap]] due to the sharp decline in play the card has seen across the boards of Initiative decks. Our turn needs to start with [[Slaughter Pact]] destroying the opposing [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]] (let’s use a [[Lotus Petal]] that will shortly be destroyed to do this). From there, we can sacrifice the other [[Lotus Petal]], float from our lands, and cast [[Pulverize]]. With the [[Dark Ritual]] making the requisite five mana and [[Ad Nauseam]] in hand, we are on our way to a clean combo!


Bryant Cook

Bryant Cook

I would begin by casting [[Slaughter Pact]] on the [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]] paying the tax by sacrificing a [[Lotus Petal]]. After that spell has resolved, I would sacrifice the other [Lotus Petal]], tap both lands, and then cast [[Pulverize]].

This is where decisions come into play. You do have a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] on the battlefield. That said, these Initiative decks do play [[Aven Mindcensor]] in the sideboard — which is more common than [[Mindbreak Trap]] at this point in time. By activating your artifact, you’re putting yourself in a potential spot to get blown out of the water when you don’t need to do so. Let the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] be destroyed by [[Pulverize]].

With the three floating mana you could try to have a miracle [[Brainstorm]] to find both mana and an answer to [[Mindbreak Trap]] or you can just cast [[Dark Ritual]] into [[Ad Nauseam]]. You can’t afford to play around everything — in this case, that’s [[Mindbreak Trap]]. I would just pray to Keranos that our reveals are good.


Alex McKinley

Alex McKinley

Start by using [[Slaughter Pact]] to kill [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]], tapping [[Plateau]]. Then, activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] using [[Underground Sea]] to find another [[Dark Ritual]]. Float off the two copies of [[Lotus Petal]]. Then cast [[Pulverize]], both copies of [[Dark Ritual]] and then [[Ad Nauseam]] floating .


Alex Poling

Alex Poling

I would start with tapping [[Plateau]] for [[Slaughter Pact]] on [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]]. From here I would activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to get another copy of [[Dark Ritual]] and float the mana off of [[Lotus Petal]] and then [[Pulverize]] the [[Chalice of the Void]] and the [[Lotus Petal]]. With the mana floating I would cast [[Dark Ritual]] into [[Ad Nauseam]] and a land drop available.


Grant Johnson

Grant Johnson

Tap [[Badlands]] to cast [[Slaughter Pact]] on the [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]]. You can then float mana off the [[Plateau]] and sacrifice your two lands to cast [[Pulverize]]. You’re going to want to hold priority and use the floating mana to activate the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] as well as sacrificing the copies of [[Lotus Petal]] for . [[Wishclaw Talisman]] will grab you another [[Dark Ritual]] so that you can pray to the [[Ad Nauseam]] gods.


Caleb Scherer

Caleb Scherer

In this scenario, while we do have the answers to both problem permanents in the form of [[Pulverize]] and [[Slaughter Pact]], we must sequence a fair amount of our plan before casting [[Pulverize]] as it also destroys our copies of [[Lotus Petal]] and [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. Thus, my sequence here would be first to tap our [[Plateau]] to cast [[Slaughter Pact]] on the [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]] to minimize the mana we must spend on her tax. Then, sacrifice both copies of [[Lotus Petal]] for and use one of the mana to activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find another [[Dark Ritual]]. After this we can then tap our [[Badlands]] for and sacrifice both lands to cast [[Pulverize]] destroying the [[Chalice of the Void]] (and the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in case of the highly unlikely scenario we end up having to pass the turn). We now have floating, so we can cast both copies of [[Dark Ritual]] and then [[Ad Nauseam]] with floating at 16 life which has an extremely high likelihood of winning that turn. This line does lose to the hated [[Mindbreak Trap]], but does beat all of their other commonly played instant speed hate and interaction.

SITUATION No. 2 — Initiative

Initiative again? FINE Let’s do it.

When looking at the cards The EPIC Storm cares most about in the matchup, a few things come to mind. While lists fluctuate, there is some consistency across registered 75 cards that allow us to prepare accordingly. Let’s take a look at some of the most common cards that we need to concern ourselves with:

  • [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]]: a staple maindeck card that can now be answered efficiently with [[Prismatic Ending]] — even in a game one scenario. She has been a thorn in the sides of unfair pilots and her new home is in Initiative.
  • [[Archon of Emeria]]: the worst card to face early as it drastically stalls mana development while also being a [[Rule of Law]] effect. The best avenues through this creature are [[Slaughter Pact]] or [[Thoughtseize]]
  • [[Chalice of the Void]]: this hate permanent is seeing less maindeck play than it has in the past. Copies are being moved into the sideboard as mirror matches are becoming more common. Dealing with fellow Initiative players is a higher priority than shoring up what is seen as an already favorable cantrip-based matchup.
  • [[Anointed Peacekeeper]]/[[Elite Spellbinder]]: two variations on a theme. These two cards can be significant roadbumps towards victory. An emphasis on [[Anointed Peacekeeper]] needs to be made here. Sometimes an [[Elite Spellbinder]] can actually help a combo turn by exiling a pertinent [[Burning Wish]] to allow the use of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], where it would be impossible before.
  • [[Touch the Spirit Realm]]: responsible for more play pattern punishments than any other card on this list. [[Touch the Spirit Realm]] stands in opposition to casting our artifacts out early underneath an [[Archon of Emeria]] or [[Chalice of the Void]]. In particular, if we turn one a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in preparation to combo on our turn two, this card is a common punish for that line.
  • [[Aven Mindcensor]]: similar to a situation in an Eternal Weekend event article, a Initiative opponent who passes with three mana open is very suspicious. In post-board games, the pesky bird needs to be on your mind. Fetching can happen on our own turn because of this — a play that also works to play around the non-Basic land taxes associated with [[Archon of Emeria]].
  • [[Deafening Silence]]: an old nemesis. One that is seeing less play as decks are focusing towards this two-deck meta. [[Prismatic Ending]] has been an incredible inclusion out of the sideboard to deal with permanents like this.
  • [[Mindbreak Trap]]: an even older nemesis. This card is seeing significantly less play in Initiative decks these days. [[Silence]]/[[Orim’s Chant]] and [[Thoughtseize]] have this particular card well-covered thankfully. In fact, because of how well-prepared we are for [[Mindbreak Trap]], one has to wonder if playing it is even the right choice anymore.

SIDEBOARDING:

-3 [[Galvanic Relay]], -2 [[Orim’s Chant]], -2 [[Silence]], -1 [[Mishra’s Bauble]]; +3 [[Prismatic Ending]], +3 [[Thoughtseize]], +1 [[Crash]], +1 [[Slaughter Pact]]

As for the situation presented to us, things are starting to look a little dire. It is the fourth turn of game three and our life total is concerningly low. [[Echo of Eons]] has just resolved with a Storm count of five. We have dealt with an Initiative creature, but our opponent will draw a total of three cards on their next turn in addition to the seven cards in hand. While we technically have the mana to cast [[Ad Nauseam]], there are several reasons not to do so. The sideboard [[Echo of Eons]] was used which means the maindeck copy can still dome us for six points. We still have a land drop to make. How do we finish this turn? Can we win right now or should we prepare for one more turn cycle at least?

Situation 2

Special Guest

Caleb Durward

Caleb Durward

Interesting! The lack of a maindeck [[Tendrils of Agony]] is being felt here. I’m not keen on just passing since they have a fresh seven with a deck full of hate cards, and we have some mana and Storm count to work with. With the floating mana, land drop, [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Chrome Mox]] imprint on [[Ad Nauseam]], we have a whopping eight mana. Unfortunately, [[Wishclaw Talisman]] into [[Burning Wish]] into [[Tendrils of Agony]] requires nine mana. You could get [[Galvanic Relay]] instead for 10 cards, which sounds great! Except, again, the opponent has a turn to play out their hate cards and depending on what those are even ten cards might not be enough. They can even use your [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to tutor if they whiffed.

I like making eight mana, activating [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and activating the other [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Echo of Eons]]. You get a fresh seven with two mana floating, which might not get there but you do have a lethal Storm count.

#TEAMTES

Jordan Karim

Jordan Karim

Sometimes puzzles look complicated and are complicated. Sometimes they’re simple and look simple. In this particular case, we have a complicated looking puzzle that ends up being quite simple. With multiple lines that could work out, they all involve levels of chance. [[Echo of Eons]] and [[Ad Nauseam]] are the lines here but one is way too convoluted and provides our opponent with two copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. [[Ad Nauseam]] need to be the line we take — even with our life at seven! We have a land drop to make and will have a [[Lotus Petal]] and [[Chrome Mox]] to start. With our [[Wishclaw Talisman]] pair, there are several outs to making our line lethal. Let’s hope they can be found!


Bryant Cook

Bryant Cook

[[Dark Ritual]] into [[Ad Nauseam]]. We have three mana sources between the land drop, [[Chrome Mox]], and [[Lotus Petal]]. Do you really think some convoluted line to get both [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and [[Echo of Eons]] out the main deck with less mana sources available will be more successful?


Alex McKinley

Alex McKinley

If only we had a maindeck [[Tendrils of Agony]]! I am a big believer in not letting the opponent lock us out of the game by letting them untap into many cards. Passing the turn would likely involve casting the main deck [[Echo of Eons]], or hoping to draw a mana to be able to [[Silence]] the opponent in their upkeep and then find [[Burning Wish]] to cast [[Peer into the Abyss]]. Those seem like worse odds than just casting [[Ad Nauseam]] now.


Alex Poling

Alex Poling

If there was a [[Tendrils of Agony]] in the main deck we do have the win here, but unfortunately we do not. I would [[Ad Nauseam]] here and cast the [[Dark Ritual]] off the [[Scrubland]]. This still leaves [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]], and a land drop to work with. We don’t need that much more mana and a [[Burning Wish]] to win here.


Grant Johnson

Grant Johnson

Play [[Bloodstained Mire]] and grab really any land. Play [[Lotus Petal]] and play [[Chrome Mox]] imprinting your [[Ad Nauseam]]. With the [[Dark Ritual]] we have eight total mana where we could fetch a [[Burning Wish]] and then cast it grabbing [[Galvanic Relay]]. This will be a huge pile and we shouldn’t be dead on the opponent’s crack back. An alternative line is to keep the [[Dark Ritual]] in hand and play both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and pass the turn. This opens up [[Peer into the Abyss]] for the following turn if they don’t jam [[Archon of Emeria]].


Caleb Scherer

Caleb Scherer

Since they will have access to nine cards during their turn, the likelihood they have multiple hate pieces for us is decently high. Thus, I would not want to set up and pass the turn despite having the ability to play multiple [[Wishclaw Talisman]]s. For going off this turn, I would want to use [[Ad Nauseam]] by casting it off of tapping our lands and using [[Dark Ritual]] (plus being careful to not play the [[Bloodstained Mire]]). This lets us still keep our land drop and already have tutoring capabilities in hand making [[Ad Nauseam]] much more likely to win even with the [[Echo of Eons]] still in our deck.

SITUATION No. 3 — UR Delver

Adaptability is the name of the game with UR Delver these days. It is often said that UR Delver can beat any deck with shifts in their sideboard plan. Those plans are adjusting — like everyone else’s — towards beating Initiative. Cards like [[Unchained Berserker]] and [[Torpor Orb]] are spiking in popularity as answers to the new deck. As is brand new technology of [[Snuff Out]] being paired with a singleton [[Underground Sea]]. The goal is to effectively fight the for the Initiative or prevent the powerful EDH mechanic from ever becoming a player in the game. The staying power of [[Delver of Secrets]] continues to be on display, the king cannot be unseated. Perhaps more importantly, players are learning the play patterns of Initiative and adjusting accordingly.

Because UR Delver is focusing their efforts towards a drastically different kind of strategy from The EPIC Storm, their newly-implemented cards have no crossover into Storm hate. This does not mean the matchup has gotten easier though — [[Delver of Secrets]] backed up by [[Daze]] and [[Force of Will]] is still a powerful plan. In fact, keeping only a single creature against us is the best way to victory. Beating in for three damage per turn adds up quickly if they are able to hold enough interaction to slow us down. Luckily, our maindeck goal to focus on [[Galvanic Relay]] is still as good as ever against the Tempo menace. With their one-for-one removal being severely taxed, they often cannot keep enough interaction to counter a large [[Galvanic Relay]] turn. Just like with [[Veil of Summer]], a preemptive [[Silence]] can force interaction onto the stack. If we have a hand full of [[Silence]] effects, this can easily get problematic cards out of our opponent’s hand for a later turn’s combo.

SIDEBOARDING:

NONE

In our final scenario, we find ourselves in the classic Infernal Tutoring situation of resolving a [[Brainstorm]]. It is our third turn in a post-board game (though our 60 cards are the same, we do need to consider our opponent’s sideboard plans). We have not made a land drop and our opponent is holding up at least a [[Spell Pierce]] as interaction in their three-card hand. How can we best navigate this [[Brainstorm]] and remainder of our turn? Can we win right now or do we need to postpone victory by another turn?

Situation 3

Special Guest

Caleb Durward

Caleb Durward

I go for it. Our position doesn’t improve next turn (our [[Underground Sea]] is almost certainly getting hit by [[Wasteland]]) and indeed might get worse if the opponent finds more interaction. The good news is, we can beat this face-up [[Spell Pierce]] and a [[Daze]] as well, though I don’t see a line where we 100 percent beat [[Force of Will]] or double [[Daze]]. Also, since we’re light on permanent sources of mana, I don’t see a way for us to profitably go for it and also try again next turn, at which point we almost certainly lose since we’ll be [[Brainstorm]] locked for two turns and the [[Delver of Secrets]] beats alone get us to four.

You can use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] here and probably win, but I think the [[Burning Wish]] line gives the opponent more room for error by letting us bait with [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I would start by putting both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] back and casting [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. If they [[Daze]] or [[Spell Pierce]] here, we can run out the [[Chrome Mox]] (imprint [[Ad Nauseam]]), cast the extra [[Lotus Petal]], sacrifice it for [[Silence]] (answering [[Force of Will]]), sacrifice other [[Lotus Petal]] for [[Rite of Flame]], play the second copy of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Burning Wish]] for a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]].

If they don’t [[Spell Pierce]] the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], I would follow up with [[Chrome Mox]]. If they [[Daze]] or [[Spell Pierce]] here, we simply let it get countered and they lose, since we can cast [[Lotus Petal]] into [[Silence]] and [[Lotus Petal]] into [[Rite of Flame]]. When [[Chrome Mox]] resolves it can pay for [[Daze]] on [[Lotus Petal]]. More likely, however, they [[Spell Pierce]] the [[Silence]] and then if they still have a [[Force of Will]] and a card to pitch, they’ll simply get to win the game.

There’s a line where you keep a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in hand after the [[Brainstorm]] instead of [[Silence]], generate four mana if they don’t interrupt us, and cast a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] with two mana floating. At this point, the floating extra mana could entice them to [[Force of Will]] instead of [[Spell Pierce]] perhaps? If they do that you can cast [[Burning Wish]], using [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to pay for [[Spell Pierce]], and go for a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]]. I don’t think this line is very likely, however, unless your opponent is new to Legacy and simply doesn’t think of using [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] mana to pay for soft counters. If they [[Spell Pierce]] the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] or the [[Rite of Flame]] then you’re in the same spot of losing to [[Force of Will]].

#TEAMTES

Jordan Karim

Jordan Karim

While we do know about the [[Spell Pierce]] in hand, there is a possibility of further interaction being held up for us. [[Silence]] is looking particularly nice to draw that interaction out. Seeing as our [[Underground Sea]] is going to end up in our graveyard thanks to [[Wasteland]], just passing the turn does not feel like a solid strategy. I like putting back both cards than cannot Imprint under the [[Chrome Mox]] — [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. From there, we want to put [[Silence]] on the stack. To do so around [[Spell Pierce]] begins by casting [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprinting the [[Ad Nauseam]]), and [[Rite of Flame]]. [[Silence]] needs to hit the stack now. If our opponent chooses to [[Spell Pierce]], we can cast the copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and the [[Burning Wish]] into our favorite army-in-a-can, [[Empty the Warrens]]!


Bryant Cook

Bryant Cook

Yikes! Things are not looking good. I believe we need to put back the pair of [[Wishclaw Talisman]], play [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Ad Nauseam]]), play [[Lotus Petal]], and then cast [[Rite of Flame]]. Now that we can pay for [[Spell Pierce]], let’s cast [[Silence]]. Depending on how they interact, with [[Daze]] or [[Spell Pierce]] determines the rest of the game. You could try to [[Echo of Eons]] or just take a very large [[Galvanic Relay]] with a pair of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in it.


Alex McKinley

Alex McKinley

Unfortunately, this [[Brainstorm]] did not hit more lands, and the opponent’s [[Wasteland]] is going to put us in the dirt if we try to pass the turn. With three cards, the best the opponent can have is [[Force of Will]] and a [[Daze]]. This means that one piece of protection, [[Silence]], and a lot of mana will get there. I would put back both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]], then cast all of the initial mana sources, [[Silence]], and then [[Burning Wish]] for [[Empty the Warrens]] or [[Tendrils of Agony]] if they [[Force of Will]] the [[Silence]]


Alex Poling

Alex Poling

I would start by putting back both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. I think we are forced to continue combo-ing from here because we are under the pressure of [[Delver of Secrets]], our only land is going to get destroyed from [[Wasteland]], and we are [[Brainstorm]] locked. From here, I would play out both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lotus Petal]], and [[Chrome Mox]] imprinting [[Ad Nauseam]]. I would then cast the [[Silence]] off a [[Lotus Petal]]. I expect this to get countered by [[Spell Pierce]]. I would then cast [[Rite of Flame]] and [[Burning Wish]], sacrificing one [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. If it resolves I can cast [[Empty the Warrens]]. If it doesn’t, then I still have [[Wishclaw Talisman]] on top with [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]], and [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in play to try and win over a few turns.


Grant Johnson

Grant Johnson

I think in this spot we lean on letting a [[Silence]] getting stopped by [[Spell Pierce]] and we set up for a following turn. We likely put back [[Ad Nauseam]] under the second copy of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] with the [[Brainstorm]]. Patience is a virtue in these spots when you aren’t looking down the barrel of an 8/8 [[Murktide Regent]]. Use all the turns UR Delver gives you to your advantage.


Caleb Scherer

Caleb Scherer

Here, I would start by putting back both [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and [[Ad Nauseam]] for the [[Brainstorm]]. Then, I would cast the [[Lotus Petal]] followed by the [[Chrome Mox]] imprinting [Rite of Flame]]. I would attempt to cast both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. If at any point they crack their [[Scalding Tarn]], I would respond with [[Silence]] as they will not be able to cast [[Spell Pierce]] at that point, so then their only likely options to stop it would be to cast [[Force of Will]] or [[Force of Negation]], which if they cast would then mean we can just [[Burning Wish]] for [[Tendrils of Agony]] and win (if they [[Force of Will]] as they would be at 18 life and Storm at nine where we also have the mana to pay for [[Spell Pierce]]) or for [[Empty the Warrens]] (if they use [[Force of Negation]]).

If they do not crack their [[Scalding Tarn]] by this point though, I would then lead on [[Burning Wish]]. If they then crack their [[Scalding Tarn]] in response, I would then cast the [[Silence]] in response forcing a similar action as above. If [[Silence]] resolves we can go with an [[Empty the Warrens]] line for 16 goblins, which should be enough given we are at 13 life and if they counter it we can just grab [[Tendrils of Agony]] as the situation then is just as the one above as well.

In the worst case if they do not respond to our [[Burning Wish]], we can then get [[Echo of Eons]] and then attempt to cast [[Silence]] making them use a non [[Spell Pierce]] counterspell a we can pay for it at all points with our second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and finally we can hope to try again by casting [[Echo of Eons]] with a mana floating and they are tapped out.


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