TES Infernal Tutoring #68

Benedikt Krogoll

This is a tricky one, several decisions have to be made. Do we plan to win this turn, and do we play around [[Force of Will]]?Our opponent has seen 14 cards (minus two fetches) so there is approximately a 60 percent chance that they have seen at least one [[Force of Will]]. The same goes for [[Cephalid Illusionist]]. If we let them untap, they might also cantrip into [[Orim’s Chant]]. So now is the time to strike, but we better be aware of [[Force of Will]].

I do not see a line that wins the game on the spot through [[Force of Will]], so now we decide whether to go for [[Echo of Eons]], [[Mind’s Desire]] or [[Peer into the Abyss]]. The latter would be our line if we were certain that [[Force of Will]] is not a threat. But tutoring the necessary seven mana would cut us off protecting our spell. [[Mind’s Desire]] might work with a Storm count of five (for six total copies) but can be stopped by [[Daze]] on [[Burning Wish]].

Instead I’d opt for the protected [[Echo of Eons]], we start by casting [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to see whether they counter it (I do not expect them to, but if they do, we proceed without [[Veil of Summer]]). Once it resolves, cast [[Chrome Mox]] to Imprint [[Burning Wish]]. Now, we pay from our first [[Chrome Mox]] to activate the first [[Wishclaw Talisman]], search for a second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and play it. Now, in response to a [[Force of Will]], we can sacrifice the first [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and search for [[Veil of Summer]] with the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. In any case, we sacrifice both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for to Flashback [[Echo of Eons]] from the graveyard for .

After resolving [[Echo of Eons]], we have seven new cards. If we did not use[[Veil of Summer]], we have an untapped [[Badlands]], available, and a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] (Storm 4). If we did have to protect with [[Veil of Summer]], we have available, an untapped [[Badlands]], and [[Veil of Summer]] protection (Storm 6). This line loses to: double [[Force of Will]] (under 20 percent chance) or a whiff/interaction post-wheel (I cannot calculate off the top of my head, as I am not too familiar with the list).

Jordan Karim

While the coast may look clear, Cephalid Breakfast is still a [[Force of Will]] deck that sometimes plays [[Daze]] (though [[Daze]] is not a very common card in the [[Urza’s Saga]] deck these days]]. I don’t think I’ll consider it a real concern in my solution). We are unable to protect the [[Echo of Eons]] in our hand with a [[Veil of Summer]] due to a lack of Green mana. There is a way to start a combo with protection, however, by filtering mana with our on-board tutors! It will only beat a single point of interaction, I feel the need to attempt a win here.

Start by activating a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find [[Mox Opal]] and play it immediately. [[Chrome Mox]] can Imprint the [[Burning Wish]] next. We can cast the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] from our hand now that we have an Instant-speed way to protect it with the remaining [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and [[Veil of Summer]]. [[Echo of Eons]] can be cast with Flashback after sacrificing our [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], all with [[Veil of Summer]] protection. If our opponent does not have interaction, then we get a fresh seven card hand, an active [[Wishclaw Talisman]], and an available land drop. I like these chances!

Bryant Cook

I would cast [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint: [[Burning Wish]]), play [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Now, we can activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to cast [[Mind’s Desire]]. We have a back-up plan of [[Echo of Eons]] if the opponent counters a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] or if [[Mind’s Desire]] fails.

Alex McKinley

The opponent has six cards in hand. Generally, I like to disrespect the Breakfast player’s ability to combo, but this is a good window for us to do something. I would start by tapping the [[Chrome Mox]] to activate a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Then, I would cast both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and hope they resolve. If the opponent counters the first one, that is great. It means they have fewer counterspells for the upcoming [[Echo of Eons]]. I would Imprint the [[Burning Wish]] under the [[Chrome Mox]] and then activate both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], floating . I want the green mana to be able to activate the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find a [[Veil of Summer]] to protect this [[Echo of Eons]]. The other option this turn is to find a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], but then try to cast [[Mind’s Desire]] at Storm three. I think that seven new cards are better.

Alex Poling

I would lead off with the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. If they have a [[Force of Will]], it will probably be used here. If [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] gets countered, I would then use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to tutor for another copy of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and play it along with the [[Chrome Mox]] and Imprint [[Burning Wish]]. I could then [[Echo of Eons]] with two mana available, a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] activation, and a land drop remaining. If the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in my hand doesn’t get countered, I would use a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to get a second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and cast it. If it also resolved, I would play out the [[Chrome Mox]] and Imprint [[Burning Wish]]. From here sacrifice both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and use the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Veil of Summer]] and cast it and then the [[Echo of Eons]] in the graveyard.

Oliver Everhard

First and foremost, they’ve got six cards in hand and a live [[Shuko]], so I’m going to play this like I’m dead next turn no matter what.

Our opponnent is tapped out of [[Flusterstorm]], [[Stifle]], and [[Orim’s Chant]], so [[Mind’s Desire]] feels relatively safe. In any case, I’m a big fan of playing out the [[Chrome Mox]] from hand and imprinting the [[Burning Wish]], playing the first [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], cracking the first [[Wishclaw Talisman]] with one of the copies of [[Chrome Mox]], and getting/casting another [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Doing this plays around and discourages double [[Daze]].

Assuming neither [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] eats hard permission, we have the choice of going for [[Mind’s Desire]] for four with a second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] available — with a mana open to pay for a single copy of [[Daze]]. Alternatively, we could go for the [[Echo of Eons]] with the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] open to grab [[Veil of Summer]]. Double [[Daze]] or a [[Force of Will]] on the first [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] will force us to take an [[Echo of Eons]] line.

Either way, I actually prefer the [[Echo of Eons]] line here (cracking our copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and spending on the Flashback). By cracking the second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] we can beat a single copy of [[Force of Will]] or pay for double [[Daze]] while still leaving up for a drawn copy of [[Mind’s Desire]]. Meanwhile, we won’t be able to [[Veil of Summer]] with the [[Mind’s Desire]] line above, leaving us very vulnerable to a [[Force of Will]] on one of the four copies or the relevant spell we end up getting. The [[Echo of Eons]] line doesn’t beat two copies of [[Force of Will]], but I think very few [[Mind’s Desire]] lines do either, unless they hit additional copies of itself. Give me the fresh seven and a chance to cast a better [[Mind’s Desire]] from hand.

Benedikt Krogoll

This one is straightforward: As all the Grixis Delver interaction (aside from [[Surgical Extraction]]) is shut down by [[Veil of Summer]], we cast both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and the [[Lotus Petal]]. Then we cast the first [[Brainstorm]] with our [[Underground Sea]] to draw whatever cards and put [[Mind’s Desire]] on top of the deck. Should we find more spells to increase Storm count, we want to cast them. Then we cast the second [[Brainstorm]], hold priority and sacrifice both [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for . [[Brainstorm]] resolves, we draw, keep and cast [[Mind’s Desire]] with Storm 11 or more. In case we draw [[Tendrils of Agony]] or [[Wishclaw Talisman]] from either [[Brainstorm]] we just win the game on the spot by either casting [[Tendrils of Agony]] or tutoring for it with [[Wishclaw Talisman]].

This line loses to: Abysmal whiff (about 100 percent likely obviously)

Jordan Karim

Lucky us we drew into the perfects, though it may not look like at first. [[Veil of Summer]] protection is excellent, because we are going to draw a lot of cards right now.

[[Brainstorm]] can be cast to put the [[Mind’s Desire]] on top of our library with the [[Veil of Summer]] underneath it. We can deploy all of our artifacts and then cast the remaining copy of [[Brainstorm]] while holding priority. Cracking both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for will allow us to draw into the protected [[Mind’s Desire]] and cast it with a Storm of a dozen! I think that should be lethal.

Bryant Cook

I love these lines! Cast [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and then [[Brainstorm]] to put back [[Mind’s Desire]] back on top of the deck. From here, we cast [[Brainstorm]], holding priority we sacrifice the pair of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for , and then cast [[Mind’s Desire]].

Alex McKinley

This is a [[Brainstorm]] trick with [[Mind’s Desire]]! This is pretty easy given that we are protected from counterspells and [[Orcish Bowmasters]] triggers. Cast our first [[Brainstorm]] and then put back the [[Mind’s Desire]] and the [[Veil of Summer]]. Then cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Brainstorm]], hold priority and crack for to cast a massive [[Mind’s Desire]]!

Alex Poling

Our only line here is cast the [[Mind’s Desire]]. We can only do this with both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. Which means we need to start off by casting a [[Brainstorm]]. Thankfully, we cast a [[Veil of Summer]] already so we have hexproof against the [[Orcish Bowmasters]]. We can put the [[Mind’s Desire]] as the top card of our library and then play out both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and the [[Lotus Petal]]. I would then use the [[Lotus Petal]] for the [[Brainstorm]] and sacrifice both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in response. This will allow a [[Mind’s Desire]] for 12 Storm to try and win from there.

Oliver Everhard

I won’t write War and Peace on this — tuck the [[Mind’s Desire]] with the first [[Brainstorm]], play out your artifacts, use the [[Lotus Petal]] to cast the second [[Brainstorm]], maintain priority and crack both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and use the mana to cast the [[Mind’s Desire]] you draw. I think you’re fine to float either or but at a Storm count of 12, it’s probably not going to matter either way.

Benedikt Krogoll

Again, as in situation No. 1, we expect our opponent to have [[Force of Will]] in hand, with them having seen 14 cards already. Letting them untap, so they can loot through their deck with cantrips and [[Dragon’s Rage Channeler]] to potentially end our hopes and dreams with [[Meltdown]] seems too risky. One copy of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] will get us [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and the other will get [[Veil of Summer]]. The decision to make is when to [[Veil of Summer]]. Here is the way I am handling this:

We cast [[Dark Ritual]] with [[Underground Sea]]. Should the opponent [[Force of Will]] this, we are better off letting it resolve, as this bold counter likely indicates a second copy in hand. In every case, we now tutor the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] with the first [[Wishclaw Talisman]] activation. We cast [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and sacrifice it for , then Flashback [[Echo of Eons]] for . Should the opponent try to counter now, we search for [[Veil of Summer]] with the second copy of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for and cast it for from [[Mox Opal]]. [[Mox Opal]] is the preferable choice here, because you do not want to draw Lotus Petal after resolving [[Echo of Eons]] and you want to draw non-fetchlands, the one life point may matter. If no counter occurs, we let [[Echo of Eons]] resolve.

Now with seven [[Orcish Bowmasters]] triggers on the stack, we still can decide whether to cast [[Veil of Summer]] in response or rather take the seven damage, going down to nine life. It depends on the seven new cards dealt, but I’d prefer to keep the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] activation pocketed as long as possible. With nine life, we can cast another [[Echo of Eons]] or two [[Brainstorm]] and still use [[Bloodstained Mire]]. Do not think of next turn, it is do or die.

After the wheel, we have [[Veil of Summer]] protection if they cast [[Force of Will]] and our protection resolved, floating, [[Lotus Petal]], [[Bloodstained Mire]], and [[Chrome Mox]]. If they did not cast a [[Force of Will]], we have even more: , [[Wishclaw Talisman]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Bloodstained Mire]], and [[Chrome Mox]]. This line loses to a pair of [[Force of Will]] with Blue pitch cards (unlikely, given the [[Ponder]] shuffle before) with ~20 percent chances and of course, a whiff from our [[Echo of Eons]].

Jordan Karim

The real decision point in this situation is where we should cast a [[Veil of Summer]]. We don’t actually die to [[Orcish Bowmasters]] triggers if we [[Echo of Eons]] right now, it would just be creating a lethal boardstate requiring us to win this turn. I’m okay with that, but we should consider what would work best for this situation.

Let’s start with [[Dark Ritual]] using the [[Underground Sea]] and then find a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] with one copy of [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. Cast it and see what happens. If there is interaction from our opponent, we can go tutor a [[Veil of Summer]] to protect our wheel. We’re fairly insulated against [[Daze]], having six mana available if we don’t activate the second tutor. So the real tough spot would be if our opponent has two copies of [[Force of Will]]. We can’t do anything about that though, so our plans cannot factor that in.

Should we tutor a [[Veil of Summer]] prior to the wheel? Or should we wait and have a more optimal [[Echo of Eons]]? I tend to think that the latter will be more effective — especially with six available mana post-wheel. Drawing into a [[Mind’s Desire]] would be the most optimal, but with an on-board [[Wishclaw Talisman]] we’re only one mana away from tutoring on anyway. This sounds ideal to me.

Bryant Cook

We have plenty of life, I would choose to ignore the [[Orcish Bowmasters]]. Cast [[Dark Ritual]], activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], cast it, and then Flashback [[Echo of Eons]]. If Grixis Delver responds, we have [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Veil of Summer]], and if they don’t we’re really close to [[Mind’s Desire]] post-[[Echo of Eons]].

Alex McKinley

This is very similar to situation No. 1, except that the opponent controls an [[Orcish Bowmasters]]. Taking seven damage will not kill us, but it does put a lot of lethal damage into play. This asks the question about when or if we want to cast [[Veil of Summer]]. I think I would still choose to cast it in response to a counterspell on the [[Echo of Eons]] if they have it and otherwise would consider what my new hand looks like. The full line of cast [[Dark Ritual]], find [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] with [[Wishclaw Talisman]], and then crack for blue to cast [[Echo of Eons]] is pretty obvious and we have plenty of colors of mana to cast the [[Veil of Summer]].

Alex Poling

I would begin by using a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Veil of Summer]] and casting it. This makes spells uncounterable and hexproof from the [[Orcish Bowmasters]]. I would then cast [[Dark Ritual]] and use the second [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to Flashback the [[Echo of Eons]] with plenty of mana remaining.

Oliver Everhard

This actually presents a bit of an interesting question because of the wording on [[Orcish Bowmasters]]. Assuming we do not win this turn — even if we are able to prevent the ping triggers from hitting our face, we may very well be dead to combat damage plus tutored copies of [[Lightning Bolt]] if the triggers resolve on any target.

I think one of our copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] is always getting [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], we’re always casting the [[Dark Ritual]], then we’re always cracking the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to attempt the flashback of [[Echo of Eons]] (I think attempting it from hand first is cute but puts us in a significantly worse post-wheel mana position for a deck with three copies of [[Mind’s Desire]] it’s trying to cast). Assuming we eat a [[Force of Will]], float green with your [[Mox Opal]] (remember that you’re losing Metalcraft!), get [[Veil of Summer]] and fight — you’re paying for [[Daze]] and losing to a second piece of hard permission.

Assuming it resolves unopposed, however, let your opponent point all of their [[Orcish Bowmasters]] triggers at your face *before* you get the [[Veil of Summer]] with your [[Wishclaw Talisman]] (or cast it from hand, if you’ve wheeled into one — in this mana position you can actually cast two using your [[Bloodstained Mire]] and your [[Mox Opal]]). This will blank their [[Orc Army]] from growing as well, meaning that pre-board, you’re much more likely to survive another turn, even if they crack both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Lightning Bolt]] on their turn.

Assuming you didn’t [[Veil of Summer]] pre-wheel, you’ll have six available mana, an uncracked [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and Storm three post-wheel — I’ve certainly fizzled in better board-states, but you could do worse.