TES Infernal Tutoring #64

Scott Walter

I would double [[Veil of Summer]] regardless, but let my opponent respond to the first before casting the second. When [[Wishclaw Talisman]] resolves, sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to cast [[Galvanic Relay]] from exile, and sacrifice [[Mishra’s Bauble]] to draw on the opponent’s turn. Since our permanents are at risk of being exiled by [[Prismatic Ending]], it is better to get additional value from [[Galvanic Relay]], and quite good versus [[Narset, Parter of Veils]]. In this case, you will likely start the next turn with nine cards to win.

Jordan Karim

Wow, we can actually use the text on [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] to help us here! But first, the important thing to recognize is that we have no line to a lethal combo this turn. Because of this, our line needs to result in a [[Galvanic Relay]] being put on the stack. Lucky for us we have one squirreled away for later.

Let’s start off by fetching for the second [[Taiga]] and casting [[Veil of Summer]]. It honestly doesn’t matter too much if it doesn’t resolve (our opponent has a [[Dress Down]] and one unknown in hand), but if it does, we won’t be able to draw an additional card anyway. Following that, we can use the [[Mox Opal]] to cast [[Brainstorm]] from Exile directly into the on-board [[Narset, Parter of Veils]]. No cards will be drawn, but we can guarantee that we hit a [[Veil of Summer]] and a land drop from the [[Galvanic Relay]] — conveniently the card that will be cast next off of our [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Last, activating the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] on our turn ensures that we will draw on our opponent’s turn, bypassing the onboard hate. We can pass the turn with at least seven cards ready in Exile (eight if our opponent’s last unknown card is a counter). Our next turn will be powerful!

Bryant Cook

This is cute. Cast [[Veil of Summer]], assuming the opponent’s last two cards in hand aren’t [[Force of Will]] and another Blue card, we’ll then cast [[Brainstorm]] directly into [[Narset, Parter of Veils]]. While we won’t draw any cards, we do get to put this second copy of [[Veil of Summer]] back on top of our library. At this point, we can sacrifice the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] while discarding our non-existent hand to cast [[Galvanic Relay]] for seven. On the following turn, we’ll have a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in play and a [[Veil of Summer]] in exile to cast.

One small note here, I would make sure that I have Metalcraft off of the revealed cards. If I do, I would then sacrifice the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] on our own turn so that way the draw isn’t stopped by [[Narset, Parter of Veils]].

Alex McKinley

I think I would cast [[Veil of Summer]] to defend the [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. If they cast another [[Force of Will]] I’d snap off the second [[Veil of Summer]], building toward the [[Galvanic Relay]] in exile. With the [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] in play, the copies of [[Veil of Summer]] don’t draw extra cards, but presenting six or seven [[Galvanic Relay]] cards with a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in play seems winning.

Alex Poling

I would tap the [[Mox Opal]] to cast [[Veil of Summer]]. Whether it gets countered or not wouldn’t matter here. I would then cast the [[Brainstorm]] to look for any zero cost artifacts to generate a higher Storm count and then sacrifice the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to cast the [[Galvanic Relay]] for at least seven, potentially nine, Storm. The opponent could [[Day’s Undoing]] on their turn, but with our resources in exile, it won’t matter that much.

Caleb Scherer

In this situation, [[Wishclaw Talisman]] is the only payoff we currently have, so I would be inclined to protect it. Also, since the Storm> count is only at four and they have a [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] on the battlefield combined with us only having five mana, setting to go off next turn over this one is a more fruitful endeavor. Thus, I would first tap the [[Mox Opal]] to cast one of the copies of [[Veil of Summer]] in our hand to attempt to protect it. If they attempt to counter us back again with a [[Force of Will]] or another [[Force of Negation]], I would use the [[Bloodstained Mire]] in play to get another [[Taiga]] to cast the other [[Veil of Summer]] to make sure our [[Wishclaw Talisman]] resolves. Otherwise, I would use [[Bloodstained Mire]] getting an [[Underground Sea]] to cast the exiled [[Brainstorm]] which will not draw any cards, but will let us put the other [[Veil of Summer]] and [[Bloodstained Mire]] back on top of our library to help set up for next turn. In either case though, next I would sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to cast [[Galvanic Relay]], which would then be for either six or seven giving us a good amount of resources, to try and go off the next turn.

Oliver Everhard

Against a tapped out control deck with two cards left in hand to our two [[Veil of Summer]] left in hand, I think our odds of resolving this [[Wishclaw Talisman]] are excellent if we want to push for it. We do need to watch out for the [[Narset, Parter of Veils]], though — we won’t be drawing any extra cards if these copies of [[Veil of Summer]] resolve, nor can we go for a line with [[Echo of Eons]] (not to mention that we need to watch out for our opponent having [[Day’s Undoing]]). Notably, we can chain a second [[Galvanic Relay]] from the first one, and in a world where we were showing three mana besides the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], I think there’d be an interesting case for whether or not we deploy a veil or try to keep them in hand for our next Galvanic Relay turn. Because we don’t, however, I think we do the following:

1. Cast the first [[Veil of Summer]].
2. If our opponent deploys another [[Force of Will]] (I think highly unlikely with a second [[Force of Negation]] already in the yard), cast the second one.
3. If the first [[Veil of Summer]] resolves, I actually don’t hate the play of then casting the [[Brainstorm]] from Exile> in order to tuck the second [[Veil of Summer]] into our [[Galvanic Relay]] pile. We’ll be dumping our hand to the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] anyway to cast the [[Galvanic Relay]], and these Jeskai Control decks have started to run [[Spell Pierce]], [[Flusterstorm]], and other one-mana permission (and remember — they get an [[Impulse]] off the [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] next turn too, on top of their natural draw) — with the storm count at seven or eight total, I don’t mind two of my cards being a land and a [[Veil of Summer]].
4. Use the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] mana to cast your [[Galvanic Relay]] from Exile> for storm seven or eight (depending on whether your opponent had another [[Force of Will]] effect in hand).

One last thing I’d call out — [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] lets you draw a single card on every turn, so cracking the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] on our current turn will give us an untaxed extra draw. If you feel comfortable with being able to get your artifact count back up to three (watch out for [[Prismatic Ending]]!) on your next turn based on the contents of your [[Galvanic Relay]], I’d consider cracking it now.

Scott Walter

At turn seven, I assume the opponent has [[Force of Will]]. There are a few interesting, but unnecessarily risky plays like casting [[Echo of Eons]] this turn or [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Veil of Summer]] and then pass. I would just play [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and attempt to win the next turn. I cannot think of a combination of cards that makes the following turn worse besides drawing [[Daze]] with [[Force of Will]] plus Blue card, but this is still fine. The worst case scenario is the opponent has [[Force of Will]] plus a blue card and draws [[Force of Negation]] for their turn, but they already played one copy and most lists play zero main. Something to consider as well is [[Force of Will]] adding Storm and minus one life. If your opponent interacts with [[Veil of Summer]] or other spells, this will benefit you. If necessary, [[Echo of Eons]] will still be available the following turn, but likely with the same to more resources.

Jordan Karim

Our opponent is so close to dead. Unfortunately, there is no way to a protected lethal line without an [[Echo of Eons]] being involved. That seems like the best avenue forward to me, let’s plan for it.

If we cast [[Echo of Eons]] this turn, we not only get a fresh look at seven cards, but our opponent does as well. Because of this, the only thing that I want to ensure is that we activate a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find [[Veil of Summer]] before using the other one to find [[Echo of Eons]]. I would rather take the chance now that our opponent’s last two cards in hand don’t interact. Otherwise, our fresh seven cards would need to find a win as well as protect it — against an opponent who could have drawn multiple pieces of interaction. Why chance it? Play tight and get it right.

Bryant Cook

Our opponent is 18 cards into their deck and hasn’t revealed a [[Force of Will]] yet. I’d be willing to bet their last two cards in hand are [[Force of Will]] and a Blue card. If you would like to be a little more reckless there is a deterministic [[Tendrils of Agony]] line that loses to a light breeze.

I’d likely start by activating [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Veil of Summer]] and then casting it off of [[Taiga]]. What happens next is likely determined by if they cast [[Force of Will]] or not. If they do, we have an easy line by getting [[Burning Wish]] off of the other [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and then playing our spells into [[Tendrils of Agony]]. If they don’t respond, we have to think a bit.

We’re just short of a natural [[Tendrils of Agony]] line without some sort of “miracle” [[Brainstorm]]. Without [[Ad Nauseam]] as an option since its been exiled to [[Force of Negation]], this means [[Echo of Eons]] that’s protected by [[Veil of Summer]]. Even if we fizzle (which is fairly unlikely with so many permanents in play), our opponent doesn’t have enough damage to kill us in play which means that a [[Galvanic Relay]] post-[[Echo of Eons]] would likely win the game. It’s worth mentioning that we have six real payoffs left post-[[Echo of Eons]] four copies of [[Burning Wish]] and two [[Wishclaw Talisman]].

Alex McKinley

With [[Ad Nauseam]] in exile, this leaves [[Echo of Eons]] as the main available engine. If it is possible to bait the opponent to interact with any of our spells, however, a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] could be put onto the stack. I would start by activating the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] with one counter on it and find [[Burning Wish]]. Then, I would cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], then [[Burning Wish]], holding priority and cracking for red. If they interact, the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] can find [[Veil of Summer]] to win the game with [[Tendrils of Agony]]. If they do not, there are a couple of options. We could create 6-8 goblins with [[Empty the Warrens]] or continue down the [[Galvanic Relay]] train. With a still active [[Wishclaw Talisman]], I would lean towards the [[Galvanic Relay]] and try to win on the next turn.

Alex Poling

I would play out the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and activate a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for a [[Veil of Summer]] and immediately cast it. Whether or not they [[Force of Will]] here or not doesn’t really matter. They either do and don’t have any more counters, or it resolves and I am good anyway. I would then use the other [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Echo of Eons]] and then sacrifice the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to put it into the graveyard and flash it back. This leaves two mana left over.

Caleb Scherer

We only have access to eight mana if we can resolve our [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and since [[Ad Nauseam]] is already exiled, there are two main ways we can try to combo off are with [[Galvanic Relay]] and [[Echo of Eons]]. To start off this turn, I would first use the [[Bloodstained Mire]] to get an [[Underground Sea]] then cast the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. If it resolves, I would then use the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] with one Wish counter to grab a [[Veil of Summer]] from the library. I would then cast since setting up being able to [[Echo of Eons]] this turn protected, and with a mana available from [[Lotus Petal]], after getting the [[Echo of Eons]] with our other [[Wishclaw Talisman]], is quite important. If they attempt to counter the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], I would just use the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] in response to get [[Veil of Summer]] and then try to [[Echo of Eons]] after as well.

Oliver Everhard

We are showing eight mana total including the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. With our opponent tapped out and on two cards, what I’m concerned about are either a couple copies of [[Daze]] or a singular [[Force of Will]] effect. With [[Ad Nauseam]] gone, I see two main options:

1. Use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] No. 1 to get a second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], then use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] No. 2 to get a [[Burning Wish]] for [[Peer into the Abyss]]. This line does not play around anything — we lose to a single [[Daze]]. In this position, this isn’t a line I’m willing to take without additional information.
2. Use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] #1 (importantly for this line, the one with only one counter left so we leave ourselves with the option to pass if we get countered) to get a [[Veil of Summer]] to check if the coast is clear (3 free mana and the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] left).

If the [[Veil of Summer]] resolves, we can [[Echo of Eons]] without the risk of it being countered with two mana up (plus a land drop, potentially) off the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. We can also use those two mana to pay for one or two copies of [[Daze]]. If the [[Veil of Summer]] eats a [[Force of Will]] effect, our opponent is down to zero cards (and if it’s actual [[Force of Will]], eight life). We can either [[Echo of Eons]] here (guaranteed to resolve but no Veil protection post-wheel) or we can pass the turn. Notably, from 14 life, our opponent will likely be unable to get us below two life from this board state without main deck [[Dress Down]] or a huge chain of [[Street Wraith]]. In other words, [[Peer into the Abyss]] will almost certainly still be live next turn no matter what, so passing the turn has its merits.

Given all of this information, I think my sequencing is as follows:

• If I can go off with an [[Echo of Eons]] this turn with [[Veil of Summer]] backup for after the wheel, I’m doing it.
• If I get forced, I’m playing the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] (future Storm isn’t worth the chance of getting discarded) and passing the turn to try and top-deck something useful for that next turn (more mana, more permission, etc.). In the main deck, they won’t be able to get more than one card in hand next turn (ie. No [[Force of Will]] to worry about), and I’ll be able to pay for any soft permission they topdeck (I’m not expecting main-deck [[Flusterstorm]], and I’m not playing around it).

Perhaps this is playing too scared (giving my opponent mana to [[Brainstorm]] to look for answers or cast paid permission spells like [[Spell Pierce]] post-wheel), but given what I’m most afraid out of out of this deck pre-board are all free sells anyway (and given how much another [[Veil of Summer]] could protect me) I’m inclined to take a draw step.

Scott Walter

Put back a [[Burning Wish]] and [[Brainstorm]]. Then cast [[Chrome Mox]] and imprint [[Dark Ritual]]. Next, play [[Mox Opal]] and then [[Mishra’s Bauble]]]. Cast the second [[Dark Ritual]] from [[Chrome Mox]] and [[Rite of Flame]] from [[Mox Opal]]. This sequence seems best. You have to play into [[Daze]] to do anything meaningful this turn. Beginning with [[Dark Ritual]] allows you to pay for [[Daze]] with [[Mox Opal]] and still cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]] this turn. If they do not [[Daze]], you are somewhat out of [[Daze]] range with [[Rite of Flame]]. At this point, you will have floating with a [[Burning Wish]] and [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. Cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Galvanic Relay]]. If [[Burning Wish]] is countered, you can try to resolve [[Wishclaw Talisman]], and sacrifice [[Mishra’s Bauble]] on the opponent’s upkeep.

Jordan Karim

Sometimes [[Brainstorm]] doesn’t live up to its pedigree as the most powerful thing to be doing in Legacy. Luckily, this is moderately salvageable. This is a point were matchup knowledge comes into play. Our opponent is on Cephalid Breakfast. This is not an ideal matchup, requiring The EPIC Storm to get extremely lucky in order to scrape a victory together. Due to this, our play this turn might need to reflect our needing to get lucky. We have the ability to put [[Galvanic Relay]] on the stack, but completely without protection. I think this is where we need to go.

We can put back [[Brainstorm]] and [[Wishclaw Talisman]] on top. Now, it’s a matter of deploying our hand to make the requisite mana to [[Burning Wish]] into a [[Galvanic Relay]]. The second copy of [[Burning Wish]] can Imprint underneath [[Chrome Mox]] which, paired with [[Mishra’s Bauble]], will turn on Metalcraft for [[Mox Opal]]. [[Rite of Flame]] and both copies of [[Dark Ritual]] can go onto the stack. [[Burning Wish]] for [[Galvanic Relay]] is up next. Unfortunately, our plan is foiled by a properly timed [[Daze]] or any [[Force of Will]] effect on the [[Burning Wish]]. But since our matchup is so dismal, we need to allow the deck to succeed through any seized opportunity. [[Galvanic Relay]] for nine may provide just that.

Bryant Cook

Uh… we’ve lost this one. I’d recommend putting two back, play out the artifacts, attempt to cast a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and then [[Brainstorm]] again on the following turn.

Alex McKinley

With the Cephalid Breakfast player heading into their third turn, they could combo on exactly three mana. Unfortunately, in a real game one, I would just suspect they are a slow, fair control deck. This would lead me to play the game slower and attempt to just put a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] into play and pass the turn. I’d probably put back a [[Burning Wish]] and the [[Brainstorm]], with the [[Brainstorm]] on top. Then, I would play out the artifacts, imprint the second [[Burning Wish]], crack the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] and pass the turn. Against Cephalid Breakfast, this line is a bit more suspect, but could still be correct. Jamming on this turn is a bit terrifying and the next turn has much better odds regardless.

Alex Poling

I would put back both copies of [[Dark Ritual]]. I won’t be casting them this turn. I see no rush here when we can generate advantage over several turns. I would then play out all three artifacts and exile [[Rite of Flame]] to the [[Chrome Mox]] and cast [[Burning Wish]]. If it resolved, I would get [[Galvanic Relay]]. On my second turn, I would lead off with the [[Brainstorm]] and depending what that drew either play the [[Galvanic Relay]] or put the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] into play and to try and win on turn four. That is fairly slow against Cephalid Breakfast, but they haven’t presented a fast combo and likely have counterspells in hand.

Caleb Scherer

We have a lot of payoffs in this group of cards, so even though we do not have protection, brute forcing though is a possible option the next turn. Since they do not have anything in play yet and six cards still in hand, I would think that being able to wait a turn is likely possible as they may not have the combo ready to deploy. For this [[Brainstorm]], I would put back a copy of [[Burning Wish]] on top of the other copy of [[Brainstorm]]. Then, I would cast the [[Chrome Mox]] to imprint [[Burning Wish]] and then followed by the [[Mox Opal]] and [[Mishra’s Bauble]]. This would then let us cast the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to set up for the next turn, and also let us use the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] to also draw the [[Brainstorm]] then too while retaining Metalcraft. If the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] is countered by [[Force of Will]] or [[Daze]], we still are in alright shape to attempt to go off the next turn if needed with the [[Burning Wish]] that is on top of the deck but we would need to save the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] to retain Metalcraft.

Oliver Everhard

There are a lot of ways to play this hand. Assuming this is indeed Breakfast (not a given game one given the few cards we’ve seen), I don’t want to play this too slowly and get burned, but I also don’t want to just walk into permission I can play around. Assuming zero permission, this hand can generate seven mana — off the two copies of [[Dark Ritual]] plus off of the [[Rite of Flame]] cast with an imprinted [[Burning Wish]] on the [[Chrome Mox]]. Unfortunately, while I do think our opponent’s play pattern indicates that it’s unlikely they have any of their combo pieces ([[Nomads en-Kor]], [[Shuko]] or [[Cephalid Illusionist]]) in hand (why not deploy at least one of them if so?) I still fear losing to the combo after making 16 [[Goblin Token]]s, and this line also completely folds to the [[Orim’s Chant]] they might have.

I actually like playing this hand a little more conservatively. I’d put back the second [[Burning Wish]] with the [[Brainstorm]] on top of it. Deploy your three free artifacts — I’d imprint the [[Rite of Flame]] on the [[Chrome Mox]], then use the [[Dark Ritual]] off the [[Mox Opal]] to cast both the [[Burning Wish]] and [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and see what sticks, leaving the second [[Dark Ritual]] in hand. Assuming the [[Burning Wish]] resolves, I am a fan of getting [[Thoughtseize]] here. [[Orim’s Chant]] is a card that absolutely wrecks our day (on top of their mountains of permission) — I want to see what they’re up to before I bet the game on a turn. I’d go for the draw off the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] if the [[Wishclaw Talisman]] resolves, too — we’ll still have Metalcraft but get to dig a card deeper. Worst case scenario, if everything goes belly-up, we’ve got a land we can use to cast that [[Brainstorm]] off the top and sculpt next turn, and they’ll hopefully have gone down a bunch of cards in the process, too.